British Columbia Schizophrenia Society

To Donate: Click here to donate online, send a cheque payable to the BC Schizophrenia Society to 201 - 6011 Westminster Hwy, Richmond , BC V7C 4V4 or click here or the link above for more options.

Office Address

Mental Illness Family Support and Information Centre
BC Schizophrenia Society - Vernon
#301-2 3402 27 Ave.
Vernon, BC V1T 1S1
PH: 250-260-3233
FAX: 250-260-3212
Email: bcssvernon@shaw.ca

Regular Office hours are: Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Monday to Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings by appointment.)

Services Provided

• Family Support Groups - Our confidential, monthly family support group provides a caring environment to share your hopes, fears, experiences and knowledge with others who have first hand experience in supporting a loved one with a mental illness. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. (click on link for more information)
• One-To-One Support - Individual support is available if you have questions, concerns or just want to talk to someone.
• Cleaning Service Program for Consumers - This cleaning service aids in improving the emotional and physical well being of mental health consumers. A particular individual may use the service up to twice per year. It is not intended to be used as a regular cleaning service or to be used for “move out” cleaning. Referrals must be provided by a caseworker for approval by BCSS prior to the cleaning service being provided.
• Library - A lending library of books, videos, cds, and dvds related to mental illness/health is available for families, consumers, professionals, and the general public.
• Strengthening Families Together: Do you have a relative or close friend with a serious mental illness? This free 10-session educational support group for families and friends provides information about mental illnesses, coping and communication skills, problem solving, medications and treatments, how to support your loved one and self-care. Sessions take place in the spring and the fall. Please call the office for more information.

• Partnership Education Program - This public education program provides a realistic, well-rounded perspective of mental illness through incorporating views and experiences of individuals who have a mental illness, family members, and mental health professionals. Presentations are available for schools, colleges, universities, service clubs, churches, companies and other interest groups.

ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE

Call (250) 260-3233 or email us for information about any of our programs.

The Family Toolkit is designed to assist families in caring for a family member with a mental illness by providing information and practical resources.

Fourth Tuesday of each month, 7-9pm @ People Place, Rm 301-2 3402-27th Ave., Vernon. Info: Dianne (250) 260-3233

For more information on volunteering with us, please click on linked heading above.

This resource may be useful to people who would like to understand the rules and procedures in place in BC around mental illness, police involvement, involuntary treatment, etc

Our online calendar at www.calendar.bcss.org contains support groups, training and events for people with a mental illness and their family and supporters. It is updated regularly and includes events and resources from all over British Columbia.

Sign up here for our e-newsletters for family members, mental health professionals, educators and aboriginal community members to keep posted on BCSS events, resources and advocacy or click on the above link for more information.

A monthly e-newsletter is available from BCSS. Please click on the link above for more details.

This fact sheet helps families recognize a crisis situation and offers suggestions on how to deal with a crisis.

A psychoeducational board game about psychosis for families including a person recovering from psychosis.

Dos and don'ts for families coping with schizophrenia

This booklet was published due to requests from family members who have a spouse ill with schizophrenia, for information specific to their needs.