BC Schizophrenia Society Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing to the Friends newsletter of the BC Schizophrenia Society. This newsletter comes out approximately once a month. In it, you will receive news and information about programs, services and events around the province from our head office in Richmond, BC. We also include news of interest to people affected by schizophrenia and psychosis and the people who love them.
This is a exciting time for the Society. We have won awards for our ReachOut psychosis program, which reaches out to schools around the province and helps 24,000 youth and their teachers per year identify psychosis and know where to get effective help as soon as possible. We provide family support and education groups both in person and online to help you help your loved one (and yourself) more effectively. We advocate constantly for improved medical services for people with schizophrenia. We provide support to children who have a parent with a mental illness through our Kids in Control program and now our newly developed Teens in Control program.
We hope you'll stay in touch!
Thanks again for subscribing.
Jane Duval,
Executive Director, BC Schizophrenia Society
A reason to hope. The means to cope.

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Contents
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BCSS Annual General Meeting Featuring Susan Inman
Sunday, SEPTEMBER 25 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
RADISSON HOTEL – #3 Road & Cambie, Richmond at Skytrain – Aberdeen Station
 Featuring: Susan Inman -Author of After Her Brain Broke: Helping My Daughter Recover Her Sanity
Parenting Someone with Schizophrenia – Why It’s So Hard and How We Can Make It Better
Since Susan Inman’s daughter developed a catastrophic schizoaffective disorder in 2000, she has written and spoken extensively about issues related to serious mental illnesses.
“Susan’s heart wrenching account is an important reminder of the work we still have to do to ensure that people with mental illness and their families get the same treatment and respect that individuals with physical illnesses receive.” – Sen. Michael Kirby
Free Admission
Refreshments Served
RSVP
604-270-7841
admin@bcss.org
Welcome to Sally Hull and Tammy Lohnes
Sally Hull is our new office administrator at our provincial head office located in Richmond BC. Let's let her introduce herself in her own words:
"My oldest son Thomas was diagnosed with schizophrenia three years ago. I was referred to BCSS by Thomas’s Case Manager…thank goodness! I participated in Strengthening Families Together and then was invited to co-facilitate the program here in Vancouver by Linda Proudfoot. I also attend and co-facilitate the monthly support group in Vancouver. "
"Greg Dallimore was able to walk me through the basics of his job before he went into hospital. He was kind and patient as I madly took notes. As you can imagine he is missed very much."
"I look forward to serving you in any way I can. Please do not hesitate to call or email."
Linda Proudfoot is retiring as Family Support Coordinator for BCSS Vancouver / Richmond on August 12th. We wish her all the best of luck and happiness in what comes next. New coordinator Tammy Lohnes is stepping in to the position, which comes with a change of email address and phone number. You can contact her for family support and information in Vancouver or Richmond at 604-727-5997 or reach her via email at vanrich@bcss.org.
Programs and Services
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. Read More »
Visit www.support.bcss.org to participate in our online support groups for family members and supporters. Read More »
BCSS regions and branches offer support groups for family members and supporters of persons with schizophrenia and other serious and persistent mental illnesses. For a full list click on the link above or visit: www.bcss.org/category/calendar/monthly-meetings Read More »
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. Read More »
This project provides assertive outreach to family members and supporters of persons with a mental illness through interconnected online tools including online support groups, e-newsletters and a calendar of events. Visit www.support.bcss.org for more. Read More /»
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.Read More /»
The Kids in Control Support Group Program, originally created by BCSS, gives information, education and support to children eight to thirteen years of age who have a parent with a serious mental illness. The Teens in Control program is now available for Teens. For more information visit: www.bcss.org/kidsincontrolRead More /»
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 in many locations throughout BC in spring and fall. Contact your local branch for details. www.bcss.org/strengtheningfamiliesRead More /»
A Ulysses Agreement is a voluntary plan that allows a parent to plan how their children will be cared for should they relapse and be temporally unable to care for their children. Help to create these plans is available in Boston Bar, Hope, Agassiz, Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, White Rock & Surrey from Mark Littlefield at (604) 832-0705. Outside the Fraser region, please call Mark for more information or click on the link for written information and templates. Read More »
Our online calendar at www.bcss.org/calendar 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. Read More »
The Family Respite Program provides a modest amount of funding to families to pay for activities or services to help give family members helping their ill relative a break or rest. As families are all different, each family is helped to come up with a respite plan that works for them. Visit http://www.bcss.org/respite for more information. For service in the Fraser region contact 604 608-0477 Read More »
A fun and interactive performance that aims to educate young people about the symptoms of this brain condition and where to get help. Delivered to tens of thousands of youth each year in secondary schools across BC. More information at reachoutpsychosis.com
Read More »
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
Read More »
A puppet show that educates grade 4/5 students in order to give them accurate information and to dispel the myths and misunderstandings about mental illness. This program is currently offered in Nanaimo, Terrace and Penticton Read More »
The program matches volunteers with persons who are family members of persons with a serious and persistent mental illness. The volunteers, who are also family members of a person with a mental illness, provide peer listening and some information during a weekly phone call or visit. This program is not currently operating but full program materials are available at the link above for organizations or branches who would like to offer it. Read More »
Click here for Local Information and Support
Upcoming Family Events
More Family Calendar Events | Printable Monthly Support Group List | Events by Region
Events by Region
- Burns Lake Events (8)
- Campbell River Events (6)
- Castlegar Events (4)
- Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam/Port Moody Events (5)
- Courtenay Events (3)
- Cranbrook Events (3)
- Events Calendar (all) (104)
- Fort St John Events (6)
- Fort St. James Events (4)
- Fraser Lake events (6)
- Fraser Region Events (Abbotsford, Agassiz, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Surrey, The Tri-Cities, White Rock) (19)
- Granisle Events (1)
- Haida Gwaii Events (3)
- Kamloops Events (7)
- Kelowna Events (3)
- Kitimat Events (7)
- Mackenzie Events (4)
- McBride Events (4)
- Monthly Meetings (61)
- Nanaimo Events (8)
- Nelson Events (4)
- New Westminster Events (4)
- North and West Vancouver Events (7)
- Penticton Events (7)
- Powell River Events (5)
- Prince George Events (10)
- Prince Rupert (4)
- Quesnel Events (6)
- Salmon Arm events (6)
- Smithers Events (6)
- Squamish Events (4)
- Sunshine Coast Events (3)
- Terrace Events (7)
- Trail events (1)
- Vancouver & Richmond Events (21)
- Vernon events (4)
- Victoria & Area Events (15)
- Williams Lake Events (5)
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