A group of people living with schizophrenia, together with a University of Calgary researcher, have created a graphic novel aimed to decrease instances of homelessness among people who are mentally ill.

The novel is a picture book and is on the leading edge of a new trend towards using graphic novels for social advocacy and to disseminate information.

"People with schizophrenia need and appreciate the care they receive. But they resent the control that always seems to come with care," says Dr. Barbara Schneider, lead on the project and professor in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. "For example, they are told to take responsibility for their own recovery and to make their own choices, but they are limited by what service providers think are the right choices. They must always be grateful for the care they receive or they risk losing services."

Intended as a professional education tool, the graphic novel was designed to assist people with schizophrenia in communicating with medical and housing service providers about their needs and experiences. Stories in the book were obtained from research conducted by and among people with schizophrenia who have experienced homelessness. The objective is to give them a voice when dealing with experts on issues of medication, hospital visits and financial assistance - all factors which people with schizophrenia say contribute to instances homelessness.

The novel will be distributed free of charge to medical service providers and housing agencies across Canada and is available at Pages in Kensington, the U of C Bookstore and the U of C image centre. It is also available electronically at http://callhome.ucalgary.ca/