Schizophrenia-related disorders nonprofit seeks volunteers
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America, a nonprofit organization, officially opened a Delaware State Chapter and appointed Harris S. Marx lead coordinator.
Under Marx’s leadership, the chapter will work toward improving and saving lives affected by schizophrenia-related disorders, including bipolar. He has been active with the State of Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium as a consumer advocate, is on its treatment and access committee, and is chair of the peer-to-peer subcommittee.
The chapter’s purpose is to promote hope and recovery through free support programs, education, collaboration and advocacy.
Approximately 3.6 percent of the population (almost 11 million Americans) are diagnosed with such disorders. The entire community is affected when a family member, a loved one, an employee, a colleague or a neighbor is living with a psychosis brain illness.
The medical cost alone is more than $400 billion per year. At least 50 percent of people living with these brain-related illnesses are untreated, and at least 10 percent die by suicide. Also, on average, they die 25 years younger than the rest of the population.
The chapter will have programs in each of the three counties. It will hold face-to-face (when allowed) and conference call peer support groups for individuals diagnosed with a psychosis brain illness, as well as peer support groups for their loved ones.
Marx is looking for volunteers to help in three areas of expertise. Three people are needed to be county captains leading SARDAA’s initiatives. The second set of volunteers will be advocates to the public and the Legislature. The third group will comprise those who have expertise in fundraising.
SARDAA’s vision is that every person living with a schizophrenia-related disorder receives respect, appropriate treatment, and an opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying life in a compassionate community free of discrimination and myths, while eliminating the criminalization of people living with a brain illness.
For more information, contact Harris Marx at 240-988-7504 or harris@SARDAA-DE.com or go to www.SARDAA-DE.com.
