Forwarded to me by a reader:
When last I checked (a year ago), the national Schizophrenics Anonymous
phone was 810-557-6777; address care of Mental Health Association in
Michigan, 15920 W. Twelve Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076. SA was founded
in Michigan in 1985 and by last year had grown into a network of 24
groups inside and 36 groups outside Michigan, including 1 in Canada and
2
in Brazil. They held their first national meeting last fall in Detroit.
The groups are organized and managed by people with the illness. They
offer a 6-step recovery program emphasizing positive suport, personal
dignity, and companionship. Although meetings are focused on recovery,
members are encouraged to meet informally as well for social activities.
They use the "steps" to strengthen their recovery - the philosophy
does
not imply anything about causation and most members are on medication.
There is a chapter in the DC metro area. I visited a few times and was
favorably impressed, both by the emphasis on everyone's possibilities,
no
matter how ill, and by the social outlet it provided for group members.
I really don't like the name of the organization, but from what I saw in
this area, it offers a good self-help and support model.
Regards,
Susan