S.A. eLetter (3-28-11)

[John P.]

Greetings S.A. family on the Internet,

We continue our discussion of the S.A. Guiding Principles. Here is
the second such principle.

Guiding Principle #2: There are no dues for SA membership, although
donations may be accepted to cover SA group expenses or special
events.

Most SA members do not have the financial ability to pay dues on a
regular basis. Indeed, some of the people who most need the program
would be left out if dues were required. However, there are group
expenses, such as for coffee at meetings. In these instances,
voluntary donations are accepted from members. Also, donations
designated for SA from sources outside the group are also gratefully
accepted through the Schizophrenia Related Disorders Alliance of
America (SARDAA).

SOURCE: S.A. Blue Booklet (program text, first published in 1989)

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--Stress Management, part #45


The Karmanos Cancer Institute has produced a good summary fact sheet
on stress. Here are some of the summary points--

Stress is how our body and mind respond to change or difficult events.
Signs that the negative side of stress is hitting you to some degree
can be:

-Fast heartbeat or breathing
-Higher blood pressure
-Stomach discomfort or ulcers
-Poor sleep
-Worry, and others

Here are some major ways to help against stress:
-Deep breathing
-Exercise
-Imagery
-Journaling
-Meditation
-Music relaxation
-Positive self talk
-Progressive muscle relaxation.

Here are some additional tips and suggestions
-Lower your standards and expectations
-Plan ahead about scheduling and about basic necessities (so you won't
run late or run out of things)
-Do one thing at a time
-Organize your living space better
-Stay away from negative people
-Practice good sleep habits
-Eat nutritious diet
-Seek counseling if necessary.
These little tip sheets remind us of the basics, and it it easy to
forget the basics when stress pops up.

SOURCE: Karmanos Cancer Institute (2006)

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

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--Website of the Week

U.S Bureau of Justice Assistance

This program funds projects that seek to mobilize communities to
implement innovative, collaborative efforts that bring system-wide
improvements to the way the needs of adult offenders with mental
disabilities or illnesses are addressed.

Its website:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/mentalhealth.html

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--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:

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system in which the
myelin covering of the cells of the brain and spinal cord become
damaged, resulting in physical impairment or disability. It is a
disease that affects many thousands of people in the United States and
elsewhere. The causes are not well understood, but it is thought that
genetics or infections may be involved. Some people become completely
paralyzed, while others are able to move around on a long term basis.

We do not suffer alone.

SOURCE: World Book Encyclopedia (1982 edition) and Wikipedia

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--Quote of the Week

"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was
service. I acted and behold, service was joy."

-Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Indian writer, Nobel laureate

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Bye for now, and everyone have a great couple of weeks.
--John P., member of S.A.

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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.
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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
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* 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)