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The cover story of the Spring 2008 issue of Schizophrenia Digest speaks to the positive gains made in treating schizophrenia through orthomolecular therapy, an alternative medical treatment which aims to restore the balance of the body’s natural substances through vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, etc. While scientific and medical controversy exists about this course of disease management, individuals struggling to find a treatment that helps control the symptoms of their schizophrenia may be inclined to investigate orthomolecular treatment.

If you haven’t read the story yet, follow this link and let us know any comment you may have: www.schizophreniadigest.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.61.

• Do you think orthomolecular medicine is a viable option to (or in combination with) medications?
• Would you be interested in pursuing an orthomolecular treatment therapy?
• Have you ever tried orthomolecular treatments? Tell us what impact it had on you.

We appreciate your input. Share your thoughts and comments by Clicking Here and read some of the comments and stories we’ve recently tabled.

STIGMA: The stigma, misinformation, and myths surrounding mental illness are a major obstacle in the lives of those diagnosed with the disease. myths surrounding mental illness are a major obstacle in the lives of those diagnosed with the disease.

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LONGER HOSPITAL STAYS MAY AFFECT READMISSION RATES

According to new analysis released this month by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), 38 percent of patients discharged with a diagnosis of schizophrenia from a general hospital in Canada had unplanned readmissions (through emergency departments) for a mental illness within one year of their discharge.

“Because of the chronic and debilitating nature of schizophrenia, patients may require longer periods of stabilization than other mental health patients,” says Nawaf Madi, CIHI’s program lead for mental health and addictions. “Our analysis shows that although hospitalizations for schizophrenia are not always preventable, longer initial hospital stays for these patients are related to lower rates of subsequent readmissions to the hospital. These unplanned readmissions can be very disruptive for patients and their families, with potential cost implications for the health system.”

The influence of length of stay on readmissions was most evident during the first 30 days following discharge. Compared to those whose initial hospital stays were one week or less, patients with initial hospital stays lasting between one and two weeks were 21 percent less likely to be readmitted within 30 days.

Patients with the longest initial hospital stays (seven weeks or longer) were less likely to be readmitted within 30 days.

Mental health patients have higher readmission rates than the general patient population, and patients with schizophrenia have a higher rate of readmission than those diagnosed with other mental disorders. In fact, 27 percent of patients admitted to a general hospital for depression were readmitted within a year, compared to 38 percent of schizophrenia patients.

BLOOMING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY

Like many gardeners, Gavin McCabe is busy this time of year weeding, watering, and generally tending to his plot of land.

For Gavin, however, gardening is more than just a hobby—it’s also therapy.

One day a week he has a placement at the Battersea Garden project in London, England, where for the last five years he has been using therapeutic gardening to help him deal with his schizophrenia. Here, Gavin and others on placements are taught practical skills alongside specially trained staff who also offer counselling advice.

Since he had his first schizophrenia episode as a young PhD student 20 years ago, Gavin has rarely worked. But the Battersea project, run by the charity Thrive, has offered him new opportunities for tackling his mental health problems.

“Most of the gardeners, like me, look after a patch of garden of their own and you do get a lot of satisfaction in doing this,” he says. “It is a nice place to work and I think doing this has been one of the most useful things that I have done as far as helping my mental health goes.”

More than 24,000 people in the United Kingdom participate in gardening projects weekly, and research by Thrive shows that most of them have either learning difficulties or mental health problems.

Richard Jones, a horticultural therapist, works closely with health workers and social services to provide support for those on placement. “We have created one of the best herb gardens in London and it is open to the public. It is fantastic to grow something and it gives confidence and inspiration.”

Nicola Carruthers, Thrive’s chief executive officer, says she has learned from experience that gardening has valuable therapeutic benefits. “It is giving people choices about what they want to do. It is not just about giving people drugs.”

GARDENING TECHNIQUES & TIPS

With spring officially here and the hot days of summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your garden. Here are some vegetable gardening basics courtesy of The Garden Helper.com

Successful vegetable gardening involves far more than just popping a few seeds into the ground and waiting for a tomato to appear. Planting is only the third step of the three ‘P’s: Planning your garden, preparing the soil, and planting your vegetables.

A vegetable garden should be well planned in advance. The site location is of the utmost importance. A spot near the house in full sunlight is normally the most convenient spot; however, drainage, soil quality, and shade from buildings or trees may mean the garden must be located in an area farther from the house.

A good vegetable garden must have at least six hours of full sun each day in order for your food crops to mature properly. No amount of fertilizer, water, or care can replace sunshine.

When planning your garden, consider what and how much you will plant. It is better to have a well maintained, small garden than a large one neglected and full of weeds. It is helpful to draw a diagram of your prospective garden, mapping out each row according to height, plant requirements, and other criteria.

Fertile, well drained soil is necessary for a successful garden. The exact type of soil is not as important as ensuring it be well drained, well supplied with organic matter, reasonably free of stones, and moisture retentive.

You’re now ready to sow your seeds and to put in your vegetable bedding plants. Planting depths and spacing are critical, so don’t crowd too many plants into the allotted space or you may end up with spindly plants and no food. Water your garden thoroughly the day before you intend to plant.

When the seedlings have emerged and developed their second or third set of true leaves, thin them as needed so that you keep the strongest plants, leaving the remaining ones spaced as directed on the seed package. It is best to thin while the seedlings are still small, so that you aren’t disturbing the roots of the plants which will remain.

Now watch your garden grow!

In the next issue of Sz Digest:

 (U.S. issue out April 14; Canadian issue out April 28)

Sz Digest contributing editor Christina Bruni talks about disclosing to others, while Peter Jaret highlights the benefits of pedometers in his popular Body Matters column.

CHECK OUT BILL’S BLOG

I’m going to take my blog in a different direction this week. I’m still working towards a healthier lifestyle: I’m trying eat sensibly and incorporate as much walking into my day. But for this blog entry, I’d like to talk a little bit about another project I’ve been working on as a mental health consumer and an advocate. It’s called Let’s Talk About It, and it’s an initiative that aims to focus on the consequences of untreated mental illness. Click here to read more……