We are currently collecting stories about living with schizophrenia and psychosis.
If you are a friend, family member or a person living with schizophrenia or psychosis please share your story with us. Call Susan at 709 777-3335 or email SSNL@nlhealthservices.ca
Psychosis is a group of symptoms that affect the brain. During an episode of psychosis, a person may see or hear things that aren’t actually there, hold false beliefs, and have trouble recognizing what is real. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 16 and 30. Psychosis can be caused by many things, such as mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It can also be triggered by drug use, trauma, developmental conditions, or brain injury. There are multiple treatment options available to help manage symptoms.
What is Psychosis?
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder. It affects how a person thinks, feels, sees the world, and behaves. It usually begins between the late teens and early 30s—typically in the mid-20s for men and the late 20s for women. It affects 1 in 300 people worldwide, and about 40% of individuals don’t realize they have it.
Schizophrenia symptoms are categorized into 3 categories: positive, negative and cognitive symptoms.
How does it impact Family and Friends?
When someone you care about is living with schizophrenia or going through psychosis, it can have a serious effect on the people around them. Family members, friends, and caregivers often experience a wide range of emotions, including fear, grief, confusion, and even frustration.
It can be difficult to understand what is happening, and navigating the mental health system can feel overwhelming. Communication may become challenging, especially when symptoms affect the person’s ability to think clearly or connect with others in the way they used to.
This is why support and education are so important. Everyone involved needs to feel seen, heard, and supported. With the right help, families and friends can feel more prepared and better equipped to walk alongside their loved one through the journey.
Upcoming Events & Programs
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Schizophrenia Journey: Beyond the Diagnosis
Ongoing multimedia project surveying attitudes and experiences of schizophrenia in NL.
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Motivation Monday
A weekly goal-oriented peer support group for in-patients on four psychiatric units.
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Hospital Recovery Journal
An in-patient created and inspired, all inclusive guide to what new in-patients need to know about recovery on psychiatric units. Includes room for journal entrees and quotes by in-patients.
Latest News
Join us for BBQ Day! Come have fun with outdoor activities, games, and great company! 🍔🌞
You’ll also get a chance to share your feedback on our services so we can better support you.
When you reserve your spot, don’t forget to include your food preferences in the email.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and respect that our organization is located on the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk, unceded traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi'kmaq as well as the traditional ancestral homelands of the Innu and Inuit. SSNL recognizes that colonialism and institutional racism continue to have devastating effects on the Indigenous communities and we are committed to working in a spirt of truth and reconciliation to make a better future for all.