This is an online PDF reference library,
a compilation of mental illness information and literature from our own
site and from external sources. They are all in pdf format, ready and available
for downloading and printing. Most of them are brief, easy-to-read articles,
ideal for passing out to family, friends, teachers, employers, or anyone
else that might benefit. Some are longer documents that may take a few minutes
to download. Please note that in its early phases the delusions, confusion
and other symptoms that are common to schizophrenia are generally refered
to by the more general term of "psychosis".
These are pdf versions of the schizophrenia.com pages we think would
be most helpful for our members to print out in hard copies to give to
friends and family members so that they can better understand the disease.
The documents are formatted for printing ease, ad- and banner-free. If
there is a particular page that you would like to see added here, for
your own files or for someone else's information, please let us know.
General Information, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
Schizophrenia Overview - a booklet
from the NIMH with general information on signs, diagnosis, treatment,
and prognosis
Overview of the Mental Health Service
System for Criminal Justice Professionals (Source: SAMHSA, for criminal
justic professionals, but is not a bad introduction to the issues for
families if a family member with schizophrenia has legal/court/jail
issues. The document tends toward being (in our view) overly "politically
correct" - but also provides some value)
Downloadable PDF Documents from External Websites
The documents below are the most helpful PDF articles we have found from
mental health websites on the internet. Many of them are brief and easily
readable, ideal for keeping in a file of information for personal use
and/or passing out to friends, family members, employers, teachers, and
anyone else who might benefit from information about schizophrenia or
related brain diseases. Others are longer, but can provide excellent reading
on special topics of interest.
Although from several different sources, many of the brief, basic factsheets
are from the Canadian Mental Health Division, created as part of a massive
public education project. They have 43 downloadable factsheets in all,
in pdf and html format. All 43 are also available as a single download,
a "Mental Health Primer". Access
the Canadian Mental Health Division website here.
Note that some of the publications from specific regions/countries may
include statistics or resources that are specific to those areas. However,
much of the general information is still useful, and can be used for education
in many different places.
Please let us know about any broken document links by emailing szwebmaster@yahoo.com
Basic Information about Schizophrenia
and related Brain Disorders:
Schizophrenia
- a brief, easy-to-read factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association
- BC Division)
The
Storm in my Brain - an illustrated booklet describing bipolar disorder
to young children (Source: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation)
What
is Psychosis? - brief factsheet (Source: Early Psychosis Prevention
and Intervention Centre, AU)
Diagnosis
of Mental Disorders - describes the process of diagnosing all the
major Axis-I disorders; also reviews what the DSM-IV is and how mental
disorders are classified by diagnosticians (Source: Lundbeck Institute,
non-profit educational resource)
A Siblings Guide to Psychosis/Schizophrenia
- A good guide for brothers and sisters of people who have schizophrenia
- it covers the common issues and feelings that come up when a sibling
has psychosis (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association)
Myths
about mental illness - common misconceptions about mental illness,
and how you can help dispel them (Source: The Schizophrenia Society
of Canada)
Does
severe mental illness run in families? Good facts and considerations
for people who have a relative with mental illness, and/or prospective
parents who have mental illness in the family. Short, easily readable.
(Source: Rethink, UK Mental Illness Charity)
Mental
Illness in the family - a very brief, but still valuable fact sheet
to provide to relatives to help explain the mental illness of a family
member. Not specific to any diagnosis. (Source: Canadian Mental Health
Association)
Current
Knowledge about the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia - an edition
of Brainworks newsletter. An easily readable summary about the biological
basis of schizophrenia for the educated layperson. (Source: DANA.org
- research on the human brain)
Children
with Mental Disorders - examines the scope of the problem, reviews
available services in education and insurance coverage, and makes future
recommendations for policy. (Source: National Health Policy Forum)
Treatments
for Mental Disorders - a brief factsheet, not specific to any diagnosis
(Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
A Physician's Guide for
Early Psychosis - advanced information on early psychosis - good
for GPs, Family physicians, and family members that want to learn more
about early treatment and the benefits associated with early treatment.
(Souce: University of British Columbia)
Anosognosia
(impaired awareness, lack of insight) - explanation, and answers
to common questions about this condition, which affects 40-50% of people
with severe mental disorders. (Source: Treatment Advocacy Center).
Families
helping families brochure - information about recognizing, treating,
living with schizophrenia, as well as how schizophrenia affects families
and what family members can do (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada).
Help
with a mental illness crisis - brief factsheet on how families can
be prepared (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Div)
Grieving
After Suicide - help for when the worst has happened (Source: Canadian
Mental Health Association)
Rehabilitation and Recovery:
Self-management
- a booklet compiled from the discussions, interviews, and focus groups
of 52 participants with schizophrenia. It is their experiences and recommendations
concerning how to best manage and cope with schizophrenia, and still
maintain a healthy, productive life. (Source: Rethink, UK-based mental
illness charity)
Mental
Disorders and Addictions in the Workplace - dealing with stress
and depression on the job; why it is in an employer's best interest
to support employees with a low-stress workplace, and how they can accomplish
this. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Division)
Mental
Illness and Unemployment - prevalence, dangers, ways to cope, importance
of work to recovery (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC
Division)
Housing
for Mentally Ill - Scope of the problem, different options that
are available, and what to look for in a good supported housing program/unit
(Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division)
Recovery
- ways for people with mental illness to achieve recovery, or ways to
support someone in recovery (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association
- BC Division)
Working
with Students with Psychiatric Disabilities - Outlines some facts
about psychiatric disability, and some expected accommodations that
faculty/staff may provide for such students. Good information to pass
out to teachers, educators, school administration. (Source: UCSF)
Educating
the Child with Bipolar Disorder - written specifically for teachers
working with pediatric bipolar disorder students (Source: Child and
Adolescent Bipolar Foundation).
Special Problems/Social Issues Associated
with Mental Illness:
Stigma
and discrimination - a factsheet describing the problem and the
associated myths (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Div)
Mental
Disorders, Addiction, and Violence - excellent facts and statistics
about the reality of this situation; essential reading for advocates
and family members (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC
Division)
Homicide
and Mental Illness - international research facts about the true
statistics. Good for advocates, educators, stigma-busters. (Source:
New Zealand Government Publication, 2002)
The
Link Between Marijuana and Mental Illness - gives a summary of some
of the most recent scientific studies that identify marijuana use as
a causal factor in serious psychiatric disease such as schizophrenia.
(Source: A national anti-drug campaign, www.mediacampaign.org)
Rethinking
the Revolving Door - a look at mental illness in the criminal justice
system. A research article on current problems, possible solutions,
early statistics about mental health courts, the roles of various justice
personnel in dealing with mentally ill defendants, advocacy groups that
work with this population (source: http://www.courtinnovation.org)
Mental
Health Court Program - describes what mental health courts are and
what they do (Source: US Dept. of Justice)
A
Factsheet on Dual-Diagnosis - why it happens, how the two disorders
exacerbate each other, how to diagnose, what help is needed. Specific
resources are based in the UK, but general information is helpful for
everyone. (Source: National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
The
Economic Cost of Mental Disorders - good factsheet for advocates
looking to increase services for the mentally ill (Source: Canadian
Mental Health Association - BC Division)
Information About Mental Illness, Violence,
and the Criminal Justice System:
Rethinking
the Revolving Door - a look at mental illness in the criminal justice
system. A research article on current problems, possible solutions,
early statistics about mental health courts, the roles of various justice
personnel in dealing with mentally ill defendants, advocacy groups that
work with this population (source: courtinnovation.org)
Mental
Health Court Program - describes what mental health courts are and
what they do (Source: US Dept. of Justice)
Mental
Disorders, Addiction, and Violence - excellent facts and statistics
about the reality of this situation; essential reading for advocates
and family members (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC
Division)
Homicide
and Mental Illness - international research facts about the true
statistics. Good for advocates, educators, stigma-busters. (Source:
New Zealand Government Publication, 2002)
Overview of the Mental Health Service
System for Criminal Justice Professionals (Source: SAMHSA, for criminal
justic professionals, but is not a bad introduction to the issues for
families if a family member with schizophrenia has legal/court/jail
issues. The document tends toward being (in our view) overly "politically
correct" - but also provides some value)
Information about Substance Abuse and Mental
Illness:
A
Factsheet on Dual-Diagnosis - why it happens, how the two disorders
exacerbate each other, how to diagnose, what help is needed. Specific
resources are based in the UK, but general information is helpful for
everyone. (Source: National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
The
Link Between Marijuana and Mental Illness - gives a summary of some
of the most recent scientific studies that identify marijuana use as
a causal factor in serious psychiatric disease such as schizophrenia.
(Source: A national anti-drug campaign, www.mediacampaign.org)
Best Information for Family and Friends
of Someone with a Mental Disorder:
Schizophrenia
- a brief, easy-to-read factsheet (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association
- BC Division)
What
is Psychosis? - brief factsheet (Source: Early Psychosis Prevention
and Intervention Centre, AU)
Does
severe mental illness run in families? Good facts and considerations
for people who have a relative with mental illness, and/or prospective
parents who have mental illness in the family. Short, easily readable.
(Source: Rethink, UK Mental Illness Charity)
Mental
Illness in the family - a very brief, but still valuable fact sheet
to provide to relatives to help explain the mental illness of a family
member. Not specific to any diagnosis. (Source: Canadian Mental Health
Association)
Families
helping families brochure - information about recognizing, treating,
living with schizophrenia, as well as how schizophrenia affects families
and what family members can do (Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada).
Help
with a mental illness crisis - brief factsheet on how families can
be prepared (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Div)
Best Information to Provide to Teachers
and Employers Working with People who have Mental Illness:
Working
with Students with Psychiatric Disabilities - Outlines some facts
about psychiatric disability, and some expected accommodations that
faculty/staff may provide for such students. Good information to pass
out to teachers, educators, school administration. (Source: UCSF)
Educating
the Child with Bipolar Disorder - written specifically for teachers
working with pediatric bipolar disorder students (Source: Child and
Adolescent Bipolar Foundation)
Mental
Disorders and Addictions in the Workplace - dealing with stress
and depression on the job; why it is in an employer's best interest
to support employees with a low-stress workplace, and how they can accomplish
this. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Division)
Best Information for Advocacy Campaigns:
Rethinking
the Revolving Door - a look at mental illness in the criminal justice
system. A research article on current problems, possible solutions,
early statistics about mental health courts, the roles of various justice
personnel in dealing with mentally ill defendants, advocacy groups that
work with this population (source: http://www.courtinnovation.org)
Mental
Disorders, Addiction, and Violence - excellent facts and statistics
about the reality of this situation; essential reading for advocates
and family members (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC
Division)
Homicide
and Mental Illness - international research facts about the true
statistics. Good for advocates, educators, stigma-busters. (Source:
New Zealand Government Publication, 2002)
Stigma
and discrimination - a factsheet describing the problem and the
associated myths (Source: Canadian Mental Health Assoc - BC Div)
The
Economic Cost of Mental Disorders - good factsheet for advocates
looking to increase services for the mentally ill (Source: Canadian
Mental Health Association - BC Division)
Mental
Illness and Unemployment - prevalence, dangers, ways to cope, importance
of work to recovery (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC
Division)
Housing
for Mentally Ill - Scope of the problem, different options that
are available, and what to look for in a good supported housing program/unit
(Source: Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division) See the full list of Fact Sheets available from this group: alphabetical list of fact sheet titles
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