BC Schizophrenia Society Newsletter:

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If this email was forwarded to you, you can sign up for your own copy of future editions at www.bcss.org
Inside this Issue:
- Schizophrenia Awareness Day - Wear Purple May 24th
- Mental Illness Articles in the Media and Research
- Featured BCSS Resource - Hot Topics
- Thank You Pheonix Perennials - buy plants to support BCSS in Richmond May 12-13.
- Studies looking for participants
- Information on BCSS programs and services
Purple Day is Coming! Wear Purple May 24th to Show Your Support for People with Schizophrenia and their Families
What is happening for Schizophrenia Awareness Day?
- BC Place in downtown Vancouver will light the exterior of their building in purple on May 24 to support Schizophrenia Awareness Day.
- Canada Place will be recognizing Schizophrenia Awareness Day by running a scrolling ticker message on their outdoor HD Screen on the front of the facility from May 15th to May 24th.
- Teams of volunteers will be handing out purple tote bags to morning commuters at various skytrain stations with literature and swag. Stay tuned to our Facebook and twitter to find out the locations.
- Ads on and in busses in Vancouver will raise awareness about schizophrenia.
- Let us know what is happening for Schizophrenia Awareness Day in your area and we'll post it on the website!
How can you help raise awareness about schizophrenia on May 24th? Wear Purple to show others your support. Want to do more? Take a picture of yourself, your family, your friends or coworkers wearing purple and send it in to us to help inspire others and show your support. With your permission, we'll post them on our website and Facebook.
Thank You Pheonix Perennials
Thank you Phoenix Perennials in Richmond, BC for choosing BCSS for Charity Shopping Weekend. Support BCSS by buying plants from them May 12-13. 25% of what you spend before tax will go to BCSS. Make sure you tell them you are supporting BCSS. http://www.bcss.org/2012/04/e-newsletters/thank-you-phoenix-perennials-and-specialty-plants/
Mental Illness Articles in the Media
From BCSS member, Susan Inman
"My first Huffington Post Canada blog is about a topic I've discussed with many family caregivers. If you want to comment on this topic, you'll need to go to the web address below. Going directly to the article online wil also allow you to access the live hyperlinks to the highlighted topics. Your comments can alert media that the perspectives of family caregivers for people with severe mental illnesses are too often overlooked and the media needs to better represent them." Here's the article: Stop Blaming Me for my Daughter's Mental Illness
Media:
Research / Academic
Resources:
Featured BCSS Resource
We've pulled together some of the unique and specialized topics for families on our website in the 'hot topics' section of our huge information section. Topics include:
More information resources from BCSS
Studies looking for Participants
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
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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.
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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.
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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/kidsincontrol
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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/strengtheningfamilies
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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
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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
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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.
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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»
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Upcoming Family Events
More Family Calendar Events | Printable Monthly Support Group List | Events by Region
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