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Odds and Ends, mostly Ends

© Ian Chovil

This is going to be my last column as I step down from this topic at Suite 101. When I first started writing this column, few people with schizophrenia had much access to the internet. There still aren't many sites on schizophrenia put up by people with the illness, but if the number of people joining Dr. Long's discussion groups is any indicator there are a lot of people who could write this column, and do a really good job at it.

Dr. Long has developed one of the foremost psychiatry sites on the web. It is a virtual encyclopedia available to anyone with internet access.

"http://www.mentalhealth.com"

He created it after an exchange visit to Japan, because we were so much more advanced here in Canada in the treatment and support of people who develop mental illnesses. It's hard to believe I know, but a local psychiatrist here in Guelph, who travels a lot says the same thing: We have a very good mental health system compared to everywhere in the world he has traveled.

Dr. Long's site was a vast undertaking. I don't know that anyone has ever read the whole site. I haven't read the whole section on schizophrenia. He is a pioneer in mental health bringing information to the world through the internet. Someone I know who spends a fair bit of time on the net mentioned the communities Dr. Long has inititiated, and curious, I went to take another look at the site.

"http://communities.msn.com/Schizophrenia..."

You have to register in the community, but it's free, and quick. There is a heading for introducing yourself to the community, which I did, and several people responded to make a thread of conversation in the next few days. The schizophrenia web community has several components. People help each other a lot, using their own experiences to answer questions. There are also peer helpers, people with schizophrenia who have been hired by Dr. Long to whom people can ask questions. There is a heading for diagnosing yourself, a photo album, reading material, a regular chat room, and announcements.

Dr. Long is asking the community to write a book on the experience of schizophrenia, inviting all community users to submit pieces that could be used in the book. The book itself is broken up into chapters and topics, and you can submit your piece in whichever chapter you think it would be appropriate. Dr. Long has always been very quick to realize the potential of the internet.