Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia

A Reason to Hope.  The Means to Cope.

Lunenburg County Chapter

The Lunenburg County Chapter meets the third Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:00 pm, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 25 Phoenix Street, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.  For a map, please click here.  Meetings are not held during the summer months of July and August.  For more information, please call (902) 527-1893 or (902) 527-1692.

For news on Lunenburg County Chapter activities during 2008, 2009, and 2010, please click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

One in 100 people will develop schizophrenia during their lifetime.  That is 331,129 Canadians, or to put it a little closer to home, 9,347 Nova Scotians.  It affects people in every cultural and economic group.  It most often strikes people in their early 20’s.

The mission of the Lunenburg County Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (LCC-SSNS) is to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy, and research.  We strive to do this by:

1. Providing support and information is those living with schizophrenia and their family members.  Monthly support meetings, hospital visitations, assistance navigating the mental health care system, etc.

2. Providing education to promote public awareness.  Speakers to local high schools and community groups.  Training in public speaking to LCC-SSNS members to encourage their participation in public education opportunities.  Reaching Out, a teaching module developed by the Schizophrenia Society of Canada was provided to every high school in Lunenburg County, as was training in its use.  In 2006, the LCC-SSNS donated Reaching Out and copies of Rays of Hope to Hillside Pines Retirement Home, the Mental Health Clinic at the South Shore Regional Hospital, and to Verge House in Bridgewater.  The LCC-SSNS donated a subscription of SZ Magazine to the Bridgewater Library in 2007, and provided more copies of Rays of Hope. 

3. Advocacy.  Assistance to individuals experiencing difficulties accessing treatment, education, or housing.  Anti-stigma campaigns including an annual Walk the World for Schizophrenia and the Iris Sale Campaign.

4. Developing partnerships.  In partnership with the CMHA Lunenburg County Branch, the LCC-SSNS organized a Volunteer Fair in local high schools to encourage volunteerism amongst youth.  In April 2007, The South Shore Regional Hospital, Fisherman's Memorial Hospital, and the Bridgewater Wal-Mart hosted our annual Iris Sale Campaign, and we partnered with Parkview Education Centre in the Field of Dreams event in 2006.  In 2007, the LCC-SSNS  will be partnering with Hillside Pines for one of our monthly meetings. 

All of these activities are possible because of the fundraising efforts of our members and the support we receive from our business community and the citizens of Lunenburg County.  The LCC-SSNS’s major fundraising event is our annual Walk the World for Schizophrenia.

To download the Lunenburg County Chapter’s brochure, please click here (PDF).