In this Edition:

The ‘Strengthening Families Together’ Program
Tops and Bottoms Comedy Fundraiser for BCSS
Coordinator Profiles
CIBC - Putting Kids in Control
Online Support Groups for Family/Supporters
B.R.I.D.G.E.S Vancouver Course
September 10, 2007 - World Suicide Prevention Day
Kids in Control - New classes starting in November
BCSS on Facebook!
Hot off the Press! Summer Edition of Friends
The ‘Strengthening Families Together’ program

Starting October 3rd, 2007 (in the evenings), Strengthening Families Together program, a free 10-week psycho educational program will provide information, skill building and support for friends and families of someone living with a mental illness.  You will learn about different types of mental illnesses, medications and treatments as well as ways to cope.  Any one interested in taking the course please contact Jessica Smits, Vancouver/Richmond Coordinator at 604-247-1884 or jessicasmits@bcss.org for more information or to register.

Tops and Bottoms Comedy Fundraiser for BCSS:

Tops and Bottoms – The Improv Show returns Wednesdays at the Jupiter Lounge.
You decide who’s on top… and who goes down!

Show starts @ 7:30pm sharp. Tickets are $8. For reservations call (604) 609-6665. Mention that BCSS sent you! 

On Sept 19th, Tops and Bottoms are doing a fundraiser for the BC Schizophrenia Society. Just remember to tell them at the door that you were sent by BCSS and your door admission will go to the charity.  The Bob Loblaw Comedy Troupe is Canada’s premiere queer comedy troupe.

Everyone is very welcome at this fun event. Libby Davis and Nadine Saunders will be guest judges.

Benefit Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Jupiter Lounge
Street: 1216 Bute St.
City/Town: Vancouver, BC
Info on the performers: http://www.bobloblawqct.ca/future.html
BCSS’s new events calendar! Part of the website upgrade earlier this year was a new events calendar. The calendar will be one-stop shopping for any BCSS-related classes, courses, groups and events BC-wide. Please keep sending in your announcements to psychosis@bcss.org and check out the Calendar at www.calendar.bcss.org
Coordinator Profile: Kim Dixon

Kim and the SSC Nomination:

Kim Dixon began working for the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) as the Regional Coordinator in Prince George almost eight years ago.  Kim often tells the story of how she started working with BCSS with a two-drawer file cabinet and a computer suitable as a doorstop.  Today the fruits of Kim’s labours have expanded to include contracts worth almost half a million dollars and over 5000 square feet of operational space.

Her first accomplishments included the establishment of a regional office with an information and resource library and the publication of a regional newsletter in the fall of 1998.  The first newsletter was mailed to about 100 individuals; today the newsletter is distributed to over 2000 people and is also posted on the only BCSS regional web site in BC at www.bcsspg.org.

In 2002 Kim secured funding for an exciting new initiative that remains unique to Prince George.  A Support, Education and Advocacy Coordinator was hired to support people living with mental illness through support, education and advocacy.  This person continues to enhance and compliment Kim’s work as the Regional Coordinator.

Kim introduced the Kids in Control psycho-educational program for children and youth with a parent or a sibling living with a mental illness to Prince George in 2003. 

In 2004 Kim secured a contract to open the Activity Centre for Empowerment (ACE), another first for a BCSS Regional Coordinator.  ACE provides a place where people living with mental illness, their families and service providers can work and play together in an environment of equality – partners in recovery.  Kim oversaw operations that first year while working with the local BCSS Prince George Branch to incorporate.  In April 2005 the local Branch took over the contract and continues to operate an exemplary best practice Activity Centre with over 300 members.

In 2005 Kim was the recipient of the BCSS Gayle Tissington Staff Award of Excellence “in recognition of [her] outstanding service and dedication to alleviate the suffering caused by Schizophrenia and other serious mental illness.”  Kim has clearly made an outstanding contribution to the work of BCSS at the local, regional and provincial levels, overcoming limited resources and huge geographical barriers.  Kim has consistently demonstrated leadership and dedication and has created a legacy of families and consumers empowered to share in the work of the BC Schizophrenia Society.

CIBC Donates $5,000 to BCSS for Kids in Control program:

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.”

Donate your HBC Rewards Points to BCSS:

The HBC Rewards Community program allows its members to take an active role in their community by raising funds effortlessly for BCSS.
Community Group members simply use their HBC Rewards Card every time they shop at the HBC family of stores and at HBC partner locations, and their points automatically come to BCSS, to enable us to purchase items that we need, such as office supplies, etc.
BCSS has recently signed up for the HBC Rewards Community Program.
Please visit www.hbc.com/community , click on Donate to a Community Group, and type in the number 6931326 (the BCSS ID). It’s simple!

Online Support Groups for Family/Supporters:

The BC Schizophrenia Society and the Mind Foundation are pleased to announce the launch of a series of new online support groups for people caring for a loved one with mental illness.

Designed specifically for people who might find it hard to get to an in-person family support group, these groups are available 24/7 at www.support.bcss.org  Privacy is maintained by group registration on the site, and what you write in the groups is not visible to the general public.

We’re still looking for volunteers to check in on these groups periodically and post topics or responses to help get them rolling. Please contact Sophia Kelly at psychosis@bcss.org for more information.

The groups are anonymous, private and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are three groups in the series. All groups are moderated.

1) Family Support Group –

This group is for a family member, spouse, parent, sibling, friend of a person with a mental illness. It is a private online place to discuss ideas and experiences, to ask questions and to share resources and information with one another.  You are welcome to use your real name or a pseudonym/nickname when you register to this group, and only those people registered with the forum will be able to see what is written on the list or post responses.

2) LGBT Family Support Group -

This group is for persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans-gendered, and who also are caring for a loved one or family member with a mental illness. It is a private online place to discuss ideas and experiences, to ask questions and to share resources and information with one another.  You are welcome to use your real name or a pseudonym/nickname when you register to this group, and only those people registered with the forum will be able to see what is written on the list or post responses.

3) Rural Family Support Group -

This group is just like the Family Support group (#1) above, except for people living in rural areas. Since services are so different in rural BC, it makes sense to have a place to ask questions, share experiences and talk about caring for someone with a mental illness that is just for folks living outside the major centres in BC. This online support group is moderated by Kim Dixon, the BCSS Regional Coordinator for the Prince George area. (The same as the above two groups, you are welcome to use your full name or a nickname to register with the group for increased privacy, and only those people registered with the forum will be able to see what is written in the group area or post responses. )

How to get involved:

You can register to participate in any of these groups by visiting www.support.bcss.org and clicking on ‘register’. Once you’ve registered for the group you will be able to log in and join the support group that suits you best. If you need help getting registered please email psychosis @ bcss.org

Volunteers:

The groups are new and the conversation is just starting up, so we invite you to introduce yourself and start a conversation on the groups. We’re also looking for volunteers willing to be ‘greeters’ on the list - this low-commitment volunteer position would be to make a point of logging into the list once a week and posting or replying to posts to help stimulate discussion and welcome new members. Please contact psychosis@bcss.org if you are interested in helping out.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S Vancouver Course - new course on September 22, 2007

(B.R.I.D.G.E.S. stands for Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support) Self-Help Course
A place to find acceptance, support and friendship
A course for people recovering from mental illness
More information on the bridges course is available at: www.bridges.bcss.org

Starts Saturday, Sept. 22 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ends Saturday, Nov. 24
we meet once per week for 10 weeks
Location: George Pearson Centre, Classrooms 1 & 2
700 – West 57th, Vancouver

To register, or for more information, please call (604) 682-3269, extension 7856 and say that you are calling about the BRIDGES 10 week course.
 

September 10, 2007 marks World Suicide Prevention Day

Each year, one million people die by suicide worldwide. Suicide is a major public health issue and accounts for nearly 3% of all deaths worldwide.

Suicide in individuals with Schizophrenia is very high. 50% of all people with schizophrenia will attempt suicide; 12-15% will die.

With education from BCSS to the public, health professionals, the police and family, this can be prevented.

For more information on supporting BCSS’s work please visit: www.mind.bcss.org
 
Kids in Control - New classes starting in November - Register Now!

Kids in Control is a psycho-educational group for kids between the ages of 8 and 13 who have a parent with a serious and persistent mental illness.
To provide tools and coping skills that will help children grow up happy and healthy despite difficulties they may be facing.

October - November 2007
South Vancouver
4 PM – 5:30 PM
(one day a week for 8 weeks)
There is no cost to families. Transportation will be provided to South Vancouver residents!
To make a referral or for more information, please call Carolina Romero at South Mental Health Team:   604-266-6124      
For more information on the Kids in Control Program please see: www.kidsincontrol.bcss.org
 

BCSS is on Facebook!

Please check out the new BC Schizophrenia Society Group on Facebook.com!
The URL is: http://www.facebook.com/

Once you log in, the group is at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5612665666

If you already have an account, just go to GROUPS and search for BC Schizophrenia.
We’re taking mental illness to a global level, and a whole new audience!
By reaching out to everyone on Facebook, we will increase awareness of mental illness and decrease discrimination and stigma.
Please join our new group and get posting!

Summer edition of Friends- click to download the latest copy!

http://www.bcss.org/2007/07/31/friends-newsletter-summer-2007-edition/