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The 20^th Annual Arthur P. Noyes Schizophrenia Conference, RECOVERY FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA: Within Our Reach, or Beyond Our Grasp? intends to take a close look at what is meant by “outcome in schizophrenia” and whether recovery from the illness is possible.  What is recovery?  Do the scientific, governmental and consumer communities have distinctly different ideas about the meaning of recovery?

Schizophrenia has traditionally been viewed as a chronic condition with a very pessimistic outlook, but this point of view may not be valid. As an alternative, a growing recovery movement has emerged among people with schizophrenia which suggests that many individuals with the illness may actually live full lives. This view has been promoted by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and several state mental health systems. It has also become especially prominent with the President’s Commission on Mental Health calling for a transformation of the mental health system to a consumer-and family-driven, recovery-focused system. The idea of recovery is supported by long-term studies that suggest that 50% of those with the illness can live productive and satisfying lives. Indeed this represents a seismic shift in the way schizophrenia is viewed in the United States.

An unusually gifted gathering of speakers at the October 20^th conference includes:  William Anthony, Lisa Dixon, Fredrik Jarskog, Brian Kirkpatrick, Anthony Lehman and Sandra Resnick. All are leaders in their individual fields of inquiry, and share a history of bridging and integrating divergent disciplines to discover new pathways to recovery.

We hope you will join us.