British Columbia Schizophrenia Society

For Immediate Release:
August 15, 2007

Contact: Nadine Saunders 604-270-7841 x28

VANCOUVER, BC - In their ongoing support of children and youth, CIBC has donated $5,000 to the BC Schizophrenia Society’s Kids In Control program. The Kids in Control program gives children whose parents or siblings have a mental illness the tools and coping skills to promote resiliency. It provides an opportunity for children to share their feelings and concerns, and dispels old myths and fears about mental illness. “CIBC is proud to support BC Schizophrenia Society and the important work of reaching out to youth and children in need,” said CIBC’s Jasmine Morgan. “Through the Kids in Control program, these children learn valuable coping skills and find peer support; it is an honour to play a small part in making this program possible.”
The mission of the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) is to improve the quality of life for people affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy, and research.>Schizophrenia affects 40,000 BC residents and costs Canadians an estimated 7 billion dollars a year.

“In families where mental illness and the management of the illness consume so much time and so many resources, children’s needs are often overlooked. This generous funding from CIBC will help ensure that these kids will have the skills needed to succeed regardless of the challenges posed by their family circumstances,” commented the Society’s Director of Development, Nadine Saunders.

For more information on schizophrenia, psychosis, or BC Schizophrenia Society’s programs and services, please visit www.bcss.org.