Red Deer Reality Rant #57 - Walk the World for Schizophrenia

Hello fellow Red Deerians. Happy May long weekend Monday! It’s been an ultra smoky one, air quality is bad, everyone is tired, but here I am with another Rant. Today I would like to talk about a subject that is close to me. Some of you may know that I do work for the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta. I have the day off today, but I would like to take this opportunity to promote the organization and mental health awareness.

1 in 100 people live with schizophrenia, it’s a fairly common illness. A lot of people have misconceptions about what it is. It is not a split personality, or causes people to be violent. Schizo means split, and phrenia means mind, but the splitting is from reality and many people with schizophrenia feel isolated and alone.

I am a firm believer and advocate for equality. For all people. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine when anyone is looked down upon for being different. People with mental illness are just that, people. We share this planet together, and if someone thinks that they are better than anyone they should look in the mirror instead of their mind’s eye because we all exist at the level of humanity, and are people.

If someone has a mental illness, they need treatment, not judgement just like anyone else with a medical condition. Movies and TV shows portray it all wrong as an exaggerated fiction. At the Schizophrenia Society here in Red Deer there is community education and support for people living with schizophrenia and their families. I am happy to be a part of this group and it has helped me in many different ways.

This Wednesday May 24th, 2023 is World Schizophrenia Day. The Schizophrenia Society

of Alberta has been organizing walks all over Alberta. The one in Red Deer starts at the branch office downtown at 12 noon and we will be walking through downtown Red Deer wearing purple. You can show your support by joining us or donating to the Schizophrenia Society, here’s a link to their website: SSA

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