The Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) will be a key player in next week's national Schizophrenia Awareness Week.

The WDHB and Nga Tai O Te Awa Maori Development Organisation, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority, Supporting Families in Mental Illness and MIST (Mental Illness Survivors Trust) are combining forces to host Whanganui’s Schizophrenia Awareness Week programme from Monday March 7 to Sunday March 13.
 
The first event will be the ‘Hearing voices that are distressing’ workshop at Community House from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday March 8.
 
This will be followed by the Schizophrenia Awareness Forum on March 9 from 9.30am to 4pm in the Salvation Army Hall, 158 Wicksteed St.
 
WDHB Mental Health Promoter Hine Potaka says family members, service providers and psychiatrists are welcome to bring their lunch along to the forum to join discussions focused on the needs of people living with schizophrenia.
 
On March 11, the organisers hope to see another good turnout for the Majestic Square Provider day from 10am to 2pm. Ms Potaka says there are many myths surrounding schizophrenia and unfortunately much of what people hear is wrong.
 
“We hope people will take the opportunity to come along and learn that schizophrenia is not a condition people need to be afraid of,” Hine says. “We have wonderful support in our community for those living with it and their family members.”
 
“We ask anyone wanting to attend the forum to please call Kataraina Shepherd on 027-295-2631.”

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