British Columbia Schizophrenia Society

Penticton Branch Services Offered

• Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Anxiety Disorders Mental Illness Family & Peer Support, Information & Information Center
• One-on-one support and referral - We offer one-on-one support for any family members/friends with a loved one in recovery from a mental illness during office hours & by appointment outside of the office hours.
• Partnership Presentations
• Resource Center and Library
• Family Education Program (funding provided by Interior Health Authority)
• Family Support Groups In Partnership with the B.C. Schizophrenia Society and Penticton Mental Health Center
• Peer Support Program for South Okanagan Similkameen
• Your Recovery Journey - This program offers five free interactive weekly sessions, each ninety minutes long, and all facilitated by people in recovery who can give you valuable information that will help you on your recovery journey. You'll also learn how to find peer support and build new life skills. Call 250-493-7338 to register.
• Kids in Control
• Puppeteer Program
• National Depression and Anxiety Screening Day
• Walk-the-World (details to be announced - see events schedule)
• Women's Support Group For women in recovery from a mental illness. Monday at 205 Martin Street. Time is under review. Call 250-493-7338 for information. Lead by Peer Support Workers.
• Strengthening Families Together courses on-going Registration Call 250-493-7338 for further
  (click here for events schedule)
• Special Events
• Newsletter - the Iris Express (bimonthly)

Office Hours:

Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm

OR by appointment

Location:

205 Martin Street Penticton BC V2A 5K2

Phone (250) 493-7338 Fax (250) 493-0690
Email: BCSS Penticton

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.

1st Wednesday of every month Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ WorkZone Employment Centre, 427 7th Ave, Keremeos Info: BCSS-Penticton 250-493-7338 bcsspenticton@shaw.ca

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

2-4 p.m. every Monday @ Department of Psychiatry Wellness Room, Penticton Regional Hospital 550B Carmi Avenue, Penticton Info: 250-493-7338 or bcsspenticton@shaw.ca

2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m. @205 Martin Street, Penticton Info at 250-493-7338

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.