Both the family group and the 'Peer Support' group rely on the psychoeducation model. For example we frequently use material from the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre at Boston University. A ll of the Society's consultation and support groups are free of charge to participants. These informational seminars deal with the myths and misunderstanding surrounding schizophrenia and the resulting stigma. Often a consumer tells his or her story as we attempt to present the facts about schizophrenia.
Women living with schizophrenia are amongst the most stigmatized and marginalized in our society.
Furthermore, because women tend to develop schizophrenia at an older age and response to illness may be affected by reproductive biology, support and educational programs traditionally attended by men, may not be appropriate for women. Under the auspices of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and with direction from an intersectoral Women's Program Advisory Committee, a needs assessment of women living with schizophrenia was undertaken in the spring of 1998. It was found that this group of women led marginalized, deprived lives in the face of multiple losses, societal stigma, limited interpersonal contacts and poverty. With each life event, women were faced with a dilemma - a choice between equally untenable alternatives. For example, women found living with the side effects of antipsychotic medications such as weight gain, movement disorder, amenorrhea, facial hair, find these difficult but neither could they live with the hallucinations, delusions, disordered thought process and paranoia of the illness.