British Columbia Schizophrenia Society

• The IRIS LENDING LIBRARY is available to the public free of charge. Our lending library is the second largest mental health library in BC second only to the UBC medical Library in Vancouver.
• Family Education Courses are offered twice per year to family members and supporters of persons with mental illnesses. Offered in Spring and Fall. Contact us for more information.
• PEPTALK PEER SUPPORT now located at CMHA 861-3644
• Partnership Presentations provide presentations on mental illnesses to schools, groups etc. This very valuable program helps others to understand mental illness. 1.5 to 2 hrs long
• A support group for family members of persons with mental illnesses meets twice per month at the office. Please call the office for details.
• Client support funds are available for persons with mental illnesses who experience crisis.
• Newsletter is distributed four times per year.
• Special events and fundraising are ongoing.
• Online Information for Families

The office provides drop-in / phone support to all persons inquiring about information and support around mental illnesses.

We will help you to understand the mental health services in the community and can help to better direct your needs.

Office Location and Hours

347 Leon Ave, 203
Kelowna, BC V1Y 8C7
250.868.3119 email BCSS Kelowna bcsskel@shaw.ca
M-F Hours: 9:00 - 12:00 pm and 1pm-3pm
View Larger Map

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.

Do you have a family member with a mental illness? Are you wondering what services are available for serious mental illness in your community and how to access them? Need help figuring out what to do? BCSS can help. We have staff and volunteers in locations near you who can talk to you about your options and help you get connected. For contact info, please visit the link above for a list of locations or contact BCSS at 1-888-888-0029 to be referred to the person nearest you.

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

This 40-page booklet contains the most frequently asked questions about schizophrenia.

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

Visit www.reachingfamiliesproject.org to participate in our online support groups for family members and supporters.

Partnership Education is based on a personal storytelling model. It is a unique and powerful presentation that helps people in the community to understand the nature and prevalence of chronic and severe mental illness. A Partnership presentation is a panel of three guest speakers - a person with a psychiatric diagnosis, a family member, and a mental health professional. The three guests are presented as a team and each describes their own personal experience with mental illness. For information about volunteering for or arranging for a partnership presentation in your area, please contact the BCSS staff person or volunteer near you.

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.

Do you have a relative or friend with a serious mental illness? Strengthening Families Together is a 10-session group for families and friends, which provides information, skill-building, and support. Offered throughout BC in spring and fall. Contact your local branch for details.

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

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.

BRIDGES is a course taught by consumers for consumers. BRIDGES helps people learn things that will help them in their journey to recovery. People who have taken the course find it helps them to be part of their own treatment. In the course, students learn about psychiatric diagnoses. They also learn about what mental health treatments work best. More information: www.bcss.org/bridges