Step by Step - On Top of the World for Schizophrenia

As many as 300,000 Canadians are affected by schizophrenia. One out of one hundred people will experience schizophrenia at some point in their life. Schizophrenia and related brain disorders are far more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis, and more hospital beds are occupied by people with brain disorders than for any other reason. People from all walks of life can experience schizophrenia.

Peer Support Outreach Program

People with schizophrenia are employed as Outreach Workers to provide peer support to others in difficulty due to the disorder. Weekly outreach visits and phone calls are provided by Outreach Workers to recipients in hospital and those in isolation in the community.

The outcomes of this program are as follows:

• Outreach Workers and recipients participate in meaningful activities and are connected to the community.
• Outreach Workers have an opportunity for employment within a supportive environment.
• Program participants acquire increased insight into their disorder.
• Outreach Workers and recipients experience improved mental and physical health.
• Program participants experience decreased loneliness.
• Program participants are empowered.
• The program has a measurable impact on the health system locally.
• Correct use of community services is achieved.

Notable success
The Peer Support Outreach Program has significantly reduced the number of ER visits (17%), psychiatric admissions (44%), and psychiatric inpatient days (72%) when comparing pre and post program numbers.