S.A. eLetter (8-22-11)
2 views
Skip to first unread message
John P.
Aug 22, 2011, 8:23:59 PM8/22/11
to Schizophrenics Anonymous
Greetings S.A. family on the Internet,
The structure and format of the S.A. meeting is discussed in the Blue
Booklet. It says:
Structure of Meetings: The format of SA has evolved from meetings of
the original group which have held two hour meetings every Sunday.
Approximately twenty members attend, seating themselves around a large
table. The meeting begins by reading aloud the SA statement of purpose
and reading a selection from a book of affirmations, which emphasize a
positive outlook. Members then give their first names in succession
around the table.
After affirmations and introductions, the general discussion begins,
which makes up the bulk of the meeting. Here, members discuss methods
for coping with everyday problems, share strategies for handling
psychotic symptoms, and pick one of the steps for recovery that they
would like to focus on. Each member has an opportunity to talk and
cross-table talk is encouraged.
Members often comment that SA is one of the few places where they can
openly discuss their hallucinations and delusions. The level of
support is quite high. In addition, members share information
regarding developments in schizophrenia research. The meeting is
closed by members forming a circle, clasping hands, and reciting the
Serenity Prayer.
SOURCE: S.A. Blue Booklet (program text, first published in 1989)
----------------------------------------------------
--Stress Management, part #55
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, part two
A local mental health care agency has compiled a to do list for those
affected by a traumatic event. Here are the hints, paraphrased--
-Get more rest
-Maintain a normal schedule, if possible.
-Expect that you may have reactions, like flashbacks and dreams.
-Talk to people. Reach out. Spend time with others.
-Avoid substance abuse behaviors.
-Eat well-balanced meals.
-Help other affected people by checking out how they are doing.
-Keep a journal of your feelings.
-Do some feel-good things.
-Don't make big life changes now.
-Make daily decisions as best as possible, to keep control over your
life.
-Make a list of things that make your situation safe.
-If the symptoms from the traumatic event persist longer than six
weeks, seek professional counseling.
SOURCE: These were paraphrased from a handout provided by Common
Ground Sanctuary.
Stress Management Series Prior Editions
Below are links to the first 40 parts of the Stress Management Series
to
date. The more recent parts are at the S.A. eLetter site at Google.
Stress Management Series I (Parts #1 to #16):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/584aa4af7b45c502
Stress Management Series II (Parts #17 to #29):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/f240f7bad9902a81#
Stress Management Series III (Parts #30 to #40):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/e0f98e3ce6dafc7f
------------------------------------------
--Our Suffering in Perspective
The suffering of schizophrenia patients is real. And other people
suffer too. We wish to also recognize the struggles of other
suffering people. For instance:
Measles
When some of us were growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s, it
seemed like all the kids got measles at some point. Then health
officials began immunizing kids to prevent measles. Now in the USA,
measles is pretty rare. Between 2001 and 2008 the annual average of
measles in the United States was about 60 cases per year. An amazing
change!
Around the world though, measles is still a problem. This is true
because there is a mortality risk with the disease. The World Health
Organization began stepping up its measles vaccination around the
world, and in less then ten years since 2000, the mortality worldwide
from measles has gone down by 78 percent. Another amazing change!
But measles requires vigilance. During the famine that hit Somalia in
the early 1990s, about 300,000 people died. But, about 40 percent of
these died from the measles combined with weakened bodies from lack of
food and nourishment. A deadly famine is occurring in Somalia now.
One report is that 2,000 people are dying a day there from lack of
food.
We do not suffer alone.
SOURCES: Time magazine (8-22-11) and Newsweek magazine (8-15-11)
-----------------------------------------------
--Website of the Week
The Schizophrenia Research Forum
The Schizophrenia Research Forum is dedicated to information about
research being done on schizophrenia.
Its website:
http://www.schizophreniaforum.org/whatweknow/default.asp
--------------------------------------------------
--Quote of the Week
Not all neat quotes are on serious topics. Some of us have fantasies
of being comics—being able to make folks chuckle. Here's a quote
about such strivers.
"They laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian. They're not
laughing now."
-Bob Monkhouse (1928-2003), English comedian
------------------------------------------------------
Bye for now, and everyone have a great couple of weeks.
--John P., member of S.A.
=============================================
For more information about
Schizophrenics Anonymous.:
The new S.A. website is at:
http://www.sardaa.org
----------
For the Google information group for S.A.:
http://groups.google.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
------------
For the Yahoo discussion group for S.A.:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
NOTE: Earlier editions of the S.A. eLettter and the Schizophrenia News
Links are posted at the Google information group for S.A. (link given
above). Also, the S.A. eLetter will come
to your e-mail inbox when published by signing up at the S.A.
Information Group at Google.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Fact Sheet Information about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective
Disorder--
* National Institute of Mental Health--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
----------------------
* Mental Health America ( formerly the National Mental Health
Association):
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/schizophrenia
--------------------
* National Alliance for the Mentally Il
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
--description of schizoaffective disorder:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
(Organization now called National Alliance on Mental Illness)
The structure and format of the S.A. meeting is discussed in the Blue
Booklet. It says:
Structure of Meetings: The format of SA has evolved from meetings of
the original group which have held two hour meetings every Sunday.
Approximately twenty members attend, seating themselves around a large
table. The meeting begins by reading aloud the SA statement of purpose
and reading a selection from a book of affirmations, which emphasize a
positive outlook. Members then give their first names in succession
around the table.
After affirmations and introductions, the general discussion begins,
which makes up the bulk of the meeting. Here, members discuss methods
for coping with everyday problems, share strategies for handling
psychotic symptoms, and pick one of the steps for recovery that they
would like to focus on. Each member has an opportunity to talk and
cross-table talk is encouraged.
Members often comment that SA is one of the few places where they can
openly discuss their hallucinations and delusions. The level of
support is quite high. In addition, members share information
regarding developments in schizophrenia research. The meeting is
closed by members forming a circle, clasping hands, and reciting the
Serenity Prayer.
SOURCE: S.A. Blue Booklet (program text, first published in 1989)
----------------------------------------------------
--Stress Management, part #55
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, part two
A local mental health care agency has compiled a to do list for those
affected by a traumatic event. Here are the hints, paraphrased--
-Get more rest
-Maintain a normal schedule, if possible.
-Expect that you may have reactions, like flashbacks and dreams.
-Talk to people. Reach out. Spend time with others.
-Avoid substance abuse behaviors.
-Eat well-balanced meals.
-Help other affected people by checking out how they are doing.
-Keep a journal of your feelings.
-Do some feel-good things.
-Don't make big life changes now.
-Make daily decisions as best as possible, to keep control over your
life.
-Make a list of things that make your situation safe.
-If the symptoms from the traumatic event persist longer than six
weeks, seek professional counseling.
SOURCE: These were paraphrased from a handout provided by Common
Ground Sanctuary.
Stress Management Series Prior Editions
Below are links to the first 40 parts of the Stress Management Series
to
date. The more recent parts are at the S.A. eLetter site at Google.
Stress Management Series I (Parts #1 to #16):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/584aa4af7b45c502
Stress Management Series II (Parts #17 to #29):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/f240f7bad9902a81#
Stress Management Series III (Parts #30 to #40):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/e0f98e3ce6dafc7f
------------------------------------------
--Our Suffering in Perspective
The suffering of schizophrenia patients is real. And other people
suffer too. We wish to also recognize the struggles of other
suffering people. For instance:
Measles
When some of us were growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s, it
seemed like all the kids got measles at some point. Then health
officials began immunizing kids to prevent measles. Now in the USA,
measles is pretty rare. Between 2001 and 2008 the annual average of
measles in the United States was about 60 cases per year. An amazing
change!
Around the world though, measles is still a problem. This is true
because there is a mortality risk with the disease. The World Health
Organization began stepping up its measles vaccination around the
world, and in less then ten years since 2000, the mortality worldwide
from measles has gone down by 78 percent. Another amazing change!
But measles requires vigilance. During the famine that hit Somalia in
the early 1990s, about 300,000 people died. But, about 40 percent of
these died from the measles combined with weakened bodies from lack of
food and nourishment. A deadly famine is occurring in Somalia now.
One report is that 2,000 people are dying a day there from lack of
food.
We do not suffer alone.
SOURCES: Time magazine (8-22-11) and Newsweek magazine (8-15-11)
-----------------------------------------------
--Website of the Week
The Schizophrenia Research Forum
The Schizophrenia Research Forum is dedicated to information about
research being done on schizophrenia.
Its website:
http://www.schizophreniaforum.org/whatweknow/default.asp
--------------------------------------------------
--Quote of the Week
Not all neat quotes are on serious topics. Some of us have fantasies
of being comics—being able to make folks chuckle. Here's a quote
about such strivers.
"They laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian. They're not
laughing now."
-Bob Monkhouse (1928-2003), English comedian
------------------------------------------------------
Bye for now, and everyone have a great couple of weeks.
--John P., member of S.A.
=============================================
For more information about
Schizophrenics Anonymous.:
The new S.A. website is at:
http://www.sardaa.org
----------
For the Google information group for S.A.:
http://groups.google.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
------------
For the Yahoo discussion group for S.A.:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
NOTE: Earlier editions of the S.A. eLettter and the Schizophrenia News
Links are posted at the Google information group for S.A. (link given
above). Also, the S.A. eLetter will come
to your e-mail inbox when published by signing up at the S.A.
Information Group at Google.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Fact Sheet Information about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective
Disorder--
* National Institute of Mental Health--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
----------------------
* Mental Health America ( formerly the National Mental Health
Association):
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/schizophrenia
--------------------
* National Alliance for the Mentally Il
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
--description of schizoaffective disorder:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
(Organization now called National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages