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The Huron Expositor, 1988-05-25, Page 88A - THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 25 1988 Schizophrenia a misunderstood illness BY DAVID ENDUE "There's a stigma associated with schizophrenia, and it's because it's not understood," said Maureen Thomas of Community Psychiatric Services (CPS) for Huron County. Mrs. Thomas is a founding member and staff support person for the county's Faint- ly and Friends of Schizophrenics group. The group got its start when a concerned parent of a CPS client was travelling to Kitchener to attend Family and Friends meetings there. Because of the distance, this gentleman was finding it difficult to attend meetings. Therefore, in 1983 a steering committee was set up to identify the need for a sup- port group in this area. The three key pro- fessional people involved in the group at that time were Dr Harry Cieslar, the former medical officer of health, Peggy Strong and Mrs. Thomas. The two main objectives of the group are: to provide education about schizophrenia; to provide help for families by providing a confidential environment where families can talk to others who have the same problems. This former objective is important because of the stigma attached to the illness. Mrs. Thomas explained, "A lot of people think it's split personalities; multiple per - sonalities. It is nothing to do with that. It's really misunderstood. It is not a splitting of the personality, not a Jekyll -Hyde phenomenon." She also stressed, "It is a person that has this, a person like you or I. This could hap- pen to any of us." The illness does, in fact, effect one per cent of the world's population. "The cause most people believe is responsible is excessive dopamine," Mrs. Thomas said. This biochemical imbalance in the brain was discovered in 1977 when a team of researchers in Toronto, led by Dr. Philip Seeman reported that post mortem studies of brains of people who had suffered from schizophrenia showed an abnormally large number of dopamine receptors in three tiny central areasfithe brain. TOMS The symptoms of the illness will begin at an earlier age for males. In the 16 to 20 -year-old age range more males will be affected than women, but for those 25 to 30 the 1 cidence of schizophrenia will be at its highest among females. One symptom is that the content of a per- son's thoughts will be different. "Thoughts are often bizarre. For example, there are ideas of persecution; for instance the devil is after me, or the FBI is after me, or the mafia is after me," Mrs. Thomas explained. Delusions of being controlled, such as a person feeling someone else is putting thoughts in their mind is another symp- tom, as is a person thinking they can broadcast their thoughts to others. "Delusions of reference. That's when something else, either an object or a per- son, gets greater significance, than it deserves," Mrs. Thomas said' of further symptoms. As an example of these delu- sions she stated, "The third song that comes on the radio willhave significant meaning to me; or will tell me what to do this afternoon." One sign of the illness that may be notic- ed by those who come In contact with a person suffering from schizophrenia is that of perception disorders. Mrs. Thomas explained schizophrenics might have, "Auditory hallucinations. They'll hear a voice that seems to come from outside his or her head that is really real to a person. You might see someone talking lout y to someone in a room when there's no one there. The person isn't ly- ing, they really hear that voice. "People can think that food tastes dif- ferent. They can then start thinking so- meone is trying to poison their water. "They can also have visual hallucina- tions; see things that are not there. . "This can very difficult for both the person and his family. It can be misunderstood if they don't realize what the person is experiencing." Further symptoms may include the flat effect, whereby a person will not show a lot of emotion. "They don't show a lot of sadness, but they don't show joy or hap- piness either." This is similar to anhedonia, or loss of pleasure a schizophrenic can experience. Withdrawal, where a person can spend the whole day in their room, day after day, is another symptom, as is a lack of volition. This latter sign, Mrs. Thomas explained, occurs when a person has a lack of interest in the world. "Other people often see it as a lack of motivation. It is a symptom, no dif- ferent than experiencinghallucinations." EATMENTS Described as, "Probably one of the most tragic illnesses because it takes people down in their later teens and early adulthood," by Toronto psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Bilkey, schizophrenia can be treated to an extent using psychotrophic drugs. In, diagnosingand treating schizophrenia, Mrs. Thomas explained a rule of thirds is taken into consideration. "One third of all people diagnosed and hospitalized with schizophrenia will recover completely; one third will be im- TOWN OF SEAFORTH AUDITOR'S ' EPORT To the Members of Counell, Inhabitants and Ratepayers of the Corporation of the Town of Seaforth CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS CONTINUED see proved, needing only occasional hospitalization; and one third will remain unimproved." As males are effected by the illness at an earlier age, Mrs. Thomas noted that her group sees more men for treatment. She noted this is partly due to the fact that women have developed their social skills further by the time the illness sets in, and therefore have jobs to fall back on when treatment is ongoing. Dr. Bilkey expanded on these statements. "Female schizophrenic pa- tients frequently do better than male schizophrenic patients. Young female schiophrenics seem better able to form relationships, so they have a larger sup- port network; where as young male schizophrenic patients seem not to be able to do this as well, so that loneliness and a lack of friendship can be a major concern." He : ter added that sufferers of this il- lness can become seriously depressed, "And suicide is an ongoing concern." There can be no time limit put on the treatment process, even if the treatment does work. "One of the things that happens is a person taking the medication reaches a point where the symptoms disappear, and it seems to them that they're better. Sometimes they Will stop the medication, r ura to page 211 5i We have •examined the consolidated balance sheet of the Corporation of the Town of Seaforth as at December 31, 1987 and the consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended. Our examination was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and accordingly included such tests and other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. Budget 1907 Actual Actual 1987 1986 In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly the financial position of the Corporation of the Town of Seaforth a at December )1, 1987 and the results of iia operations for the year' then ended in accordance with the accounting principles disclosed in note I,to the financial statement, applied on a basis consistent with the: of the preceding year. APPLIED TO, Current operations General government $ 216,922 $ 238.491 Protection to persona and property 280,652 272,219 Transportation services 239,906 228.653 Environmental oeroices 191,900 191,608 Health eervlces - 180 Social and family services 1,300 2,856 Recreation and cultural services 118,935 109,169 Planning and development 68,134 77,739 Capital General government Protection to persons end property Traneportac ion services Environmental service, Recreation and cultural services 5 220,548 269,050 218,897 179,500 These revenues and expenditures are ndt reflected to the "Consolidated Statement of Operations". The overleries (underlaying) at the end of the year are reported as other liabilities (other current assets) on the "Consolidated Balance Sheet". 3. Contributions to Unconsolidated Joint Boards Further to note 1(a)(1i), the assets and liabilities of unconsolidated joint boards have not bean consolidated and are not reported on the "Consolidated Balance Sheet". 2,080 100,334 19,756 1,117.749 1,120.915 1,010,165 London, Ontario March 2, 1988. Chartered Accountants Licence No. 1239 35,250 17,008 372.030 127,330 18,407 52,306 1,168 343,354 45,498 6,430 570,025 448,756 Nec nppronrlat lone to reserves and reserve funds 254 MUNICIPAL FUND BALANCES AT TIKE END OP TIll. YEAR (Note 5) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET as at December 31, 1987 Tbuchc Ross TOWN OF, SEAFORTH CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1987 To be used to offset teen` Ion or 8,847 5,583 160,671 92,405 10,739 278,245 The operations of the joint boards have also not been consolidated. The "Consolidated Statement of Operations" includes only the following contributions made by the municlpsllty to those boards: 1987 1986 Seeforch and District Community Centres Management Committee $30,369 $25,463 Seaforth Fire Area Department 33,717 18.386 864,086 $43.849 4. Net Long Term Liabilities (a) The balance of net liabilities reported on the "Consolidated Balance Sheet" I. made up of the following: user charge. 104,731 84,239 Total applications during the pear $1,687,774 $1,674,656 $1,372,669 The accompanying notes are an integral pert of this financial atateeent. 'Il, NOTES, TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT December 31, 1987 TOWN OF SEAFORTH ASSETS 1987 1986 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1987 Total long term liabilities incurred by the ouniclpal,ity including those Incurred on behalf of school board., other xunicipdtties and municipal enterprises and outstanding at the year and amount to $80,000 985,000 ,1987 1986 Net long-term liabilities at the end of the year $80,000 $as,000 (b) Total charges for the year for net long tern liabilities which are reported on the "Consolidated S utoosnt of Operations" are as follows: Principal Interest 1987 1986 S 5,000 $12,000 8,288 6)9 111,288 $11,639 Unrestricted Cash 5 6,656 5 83,150 Tawas receivable 125,277 80,676 Accounts receivable 242,524 108,389 Other current aoets 100 - 374 55.57 272,015 eat r is ted Cash 85,620 63.863 Accounts receivable - 384 Due from revenue fund 114 )57 85,7)4 64,604 ' Capital outlay financed by long -ter. lieblli:ies and to be recovered in future peers (Note I(b)(iv) 00,000 85,000 $540,291 $421,619 LIABILITIES Bank indebtednenc Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred revenue (Note 8) Net long-term liabilities (Note 4) .ammltoents (Note 10) FUND BALANCES AT THE END OF THE YEAR To be used to offset taxation or user charges (Note S) Reserves (Note 6) Reserve funds (Nate 6) 7`74,000 $ - 99,814 90,170 19,307 193,116 90,170 80,000 05,000 Accounting Policies The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation are the representation of eanageeent prepared in accordance with account Ing policies preecribed for Ontario Munictpallties by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Sines precis* determination of many ...... and liabilities to dependent upon future events, the preparation of periodic financial statement■ necessarily involved the use of estimates end approximations. These have been nada using careful Judgements. (a) (1) Basis of Consolidation These consolidated atatementa reflect the assets, llabillties, source, of financing and expenditures of the revenue fund, capital fund, reserve funds and reserves and include the activities of all committee, of Council and the following boards, municipal enterprises and utiliele. which are under the control of Council: Seaforth !Wetness Improvement Area Board of Management All interfund stoats end liabilities and sources of financing and expenditures have been eliminated with the exception of loans or advance. between reserve fund. and any other fund of the nunicipellty end the resulting interest income and expenditures. (ii) Non -Consolidated Entitle. The following local board., Joint local boards, municipal enterprises and utilities ore not consolidated: 104,731 76,710 85,734 84,259 97,586 64,604 5540,29) $421,619 The accompanying notes a e an integral part of this financial statement. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended December 31, 1987 S. Municipal fast balances at the end of the Jen The balance on the "Consolidated Statement of Operations" of sun.icipal equity of 1104,731 (1986 - $04,239) at the end of the year is cospriaed of the following: To be said to offset caution or user charges 1987 1986 $106,731 S 84,259 6. Reserves sod Reserve Funds a) The total balance of reserve, end reserve funds of $162,444 (1986 - $162,190) respectively are made up of the following: 1987 1986 Reserve, set aside for specific purpose by Council'- for working capital $76,710 $76,710 - for business improvement - 20,816 - Seaforth and District Community Centres Management Committee - Seaforth and District Community Centres Building Coenittee - Seaforth Fire Area Department - Seaforth Public Utility Commission - Vaterworhe Department - Ontario Home Renewal Program Trust Land (iii) Accounting for County end School Hoard Transactions The taxation, other revenues, expenditures, aseete and liabilities with respect to the operations of the school boards, and the County of Moron are not reflected in the municipal fund balance of these financial etateeenta. Overlevies (underlevies) are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as "other current liabilities" ("other current assets"). (b) Basis of Accounting Total reserves $76,710 $97,586 Reserve funds an sonde for specific purpose by Council - for industrial development - for working capital - for heritage - for business improvement 538,878 036,689 10,846 794 9,694 17,779 76.316 9,342 Total reserve funds $85,734 064,604 7. Onfunded Pension Liability During 1985 the town amended by-law number 667 tush that policemen are now entitled to retire at 60 years of age as opposed to 6S years of age. The net effect of this change we. an underfunding in the policemen'. pension plan of $28,113 at January I, 1985, the effective date of the change. (1) Sources of financing and expenditures are reported on ch. accrual heal* of accounting with the exception of principal charges on long term liabilities which are charged against operations in the periods in which they are paid. (11) The accrual haste of accounting recognises revenues as they become available and measurable; expenditures era recognised as they are incurred and measurable as a result of receipt of goods or services and the creation of a legal obligation co pay. Budget Actual Actual 1987 1987 1986 SOURCES OF FINANCING: Taxation and user charges Residential and farm taxation Commercial, industrial and buafnese tacit Ion Taxation (roe other governments User charges and fees Grants Government of Canada Province of Ontario Other municipalities Other Investment Income Other $ 704,103 $ 710,743 $ 654,129 465,940 447,230 428,271 35,070 36,358 34,256 194,821 206,283 190,586 Deduct: Anmrnto received or receivable for county end school boards Net appropriations from reserves and reserve funde 1,500 2,682 1,250 684,892 663,244 416,994 28,460 28,460 26,871 3,000 8,521 3,4'' 85,559 65,'15 77, 2 (579,830) (578,859) (540,116) 12,986 (ill) Fixed Assets The historical cost end accumulated depreciation for fixed assets are not recorded for municipal purposes. Fixed assets are reported a. en expenditure on the Consolidated Statement of Operatleoe t - the year of acquisition. (iv) Capital Outlay to be Recovered in Furore Years "Capital o.tlsy to be recovered 1• future years, which Tr represents the outstanding principal potties of unmatured long term liabilities for municipal expends t••es + apt.al 'nide transferred to other organizations, is reported •n • " solid, . mance Sheet." 2. Operations of the School aearde end ae County of Buren Furth. The town intends to pay this amount plus interest in five equal annual instalments of $7,041; the first instalment having been paid in December 1985. The unfunded balance as at December 31, 1987 of $12,556 has not been accrued in these financial etatements. 8. Deferred revenue The Town has collected paymeota from the Ministry of the Environment amounting to $19,302 In excess of the Ministry's current obligations. These amounts have not been recognised as revenues in the current period but rather accounted for as deferred revenue. 9. Contractual Obligation - 7linfetry of the Environment In accordance with a service agreement entered into by the Town in 1975 with the Ministry of the Environment, the exlattng savage system is owned and operated by the Ministry. The Town is obligated to meet all operating errata and repay the long-term liabilities related to thin prefect. ro note ,,a)(110, the taxation, other revenues, expenditures and underlevies) of the echosl boards end the County of Reran are he following: ,School Boards Soma cion lents 1- lieu of taxes MUNICIPAL FUND BALANCES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TEAR (Note 5) To be used to offset taxation or user charges Requieitiono Supplementary taxes 84,259 84,259 46,325 Total financing available during the year $1,687,774 $1,676,656 01,372,659 Overleviee (underlevies) for the year Overlevlea (underlevies) at the beginning of the year Overleviea (underlevies) at the end of the year $433,941 $126,843 16,925 6,343 450,868 133,186 446,004 132,087 4.864 1,099 450.868 133,186 NIL NIL NIL NIL $ NIL $ NIL Included in the "Consolidated Statement of Operations" ere the 1987 charges from the Ministry of $117,485. The "Consolidated balance Sheet" does not reflect any eseets or liahtlitlee pertaining to the sewage space, except to the extent of service charges due to the Ministry. Information received from the Ministry ae at March 31, 1987 indicates the following: .Accumulated net surplus 1987 debt charges Total outstanding long-term liabilities $250,743 $ 75,379 $776,476 10. Commitments The Corporation of the Town of Seaforth hes entered`ieto an agreement with the Reritage Canada Foundation to participate and implement a Main Street Canada Programme. The agreement expire. August 14, 1989 and the total cost o2 the project la approximately $109,000 over the life of the agreements. To date $49,451 has been expended and a reserve fund equal to $26,316 is available to finance the project. The remaining obligation at December )1, 1987 amounts to $33,233.