Welcome to this issue of professional resources, produced by the BC Schizophrenia Society, in partnership with the HereToHelp.

We hope this newsletter provides you with helpful information to assist you in collaborating with family members and supporters in the care of their loved one with a mental illness. A companion enewsletter is also available for family members.

In this newsletter:

Ongoing Family Resources – where and how to refer relatives and supporters for support and help.

Featured Resources

Visions Journal LGTB Mental Health and Addictions Issue

Mental Health Research Matters (This event brings together the public and three prominent UBC researchers to discuss the latest directions and discoveries in mental health research. )

Addiction Medicine for Family Physicians and Psychiatrists

Family support and education events, listed by location (also see map) – link opens on a web page
Family support and education events in BC (see right)

If this e-resource has been forwarded to you by a friend, you can sign up for your own copy here

Featured Resources

e-Visions-LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender Vol. 6 | No. 2 | 2010

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people often face prejudice, discrimination and isolation. Now imagine the doubly stigmatizing effect of being LGBT and having a mental illness or substance use problem. These added stresses can lead, in part, to higher rates of mental health and substance use problems. But how do you talk about sexual orientation or gender with your service provider? What happens when your service provider says that your sexual orientation or gender identity are the cause of your mental health problems? Through the words of our passionate and courageous writers, learn how others found wellness and resilience through supportive and loving families, spirituality and knowledgeable service providers. Join us as we explore the relationships between sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health and substance use.

Online Table of Contents and PDFs: www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions

Background

• Editor’s Message (Sarah Hamid-Balma)

• We Are Family (Sophia Kellly) [Guest Editor]

• Pathologizing Sexuality and Gender: A brief history (Jacqueline Holler)

• LGBT People and Mental Health: Healing the wounds of prejudice (Al Zwiers)

• Same But Different: Substance use in queer and trans communities (Stacey Boon)

Experiences and Perspectives

• The Light: Hallucination or spiritual energy (Alexander Singh)

• A Great Group of Women Talk About Coming Out (Qmunity Women’s Coming Out Group)

• Treatment Delayed Because I was Gay? (Ross Taylor)

Alternatives and Approaches

• Reducing Barriers: Making services relevant to LGBT clients (Peter Toppings)

• It’s All About ‘Asking the Right Questions’ (Marcia Gibson)

Regional Programs

• Safe Spaces in BC’s Interior: Working with LGBT youth to promote mental health
  (Wendy Hulko, Kari Bepple, Jenny Turco, and Natalie Clark)

• Qmunity—BC’s Queer Resource Centre (Myer Leach)

• Transgender Health Program (Kailey Willetts)

Glossary

Resources

Mental Health Research Matters - March 9
This event brings together the public and three prominent UBC researchers to discuss the latest directions and discoveries in mental health research. The topics discussed will include "What do Your Genes Mean for Your Mental Health?" by Dr. Austine, "Working with Depression" by Dr. Lam, and "Pathways to Mental Disorders and Addictions: The Role of Trauma and Neglect" by Dr. Schütz. The event will run from 7-9pm at the Chan Centre for Family Health Education at the Child & Family Research Institute, 938 West 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC. Cost: free. To register, email reseduc@cw.bc.ca or phone 604.875.2000 ext. 5397. The BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information will also be on‑site to provide information from seven leading provincial mental health and addictions agencies.

Addiction Medicine for Family Physicians and Psychiatrists - March 19
This one day conference offered by Vancouver Island Health Authority and UVic's Centere for Addictions Research, and will present a variety of panels on topics such as workplace addictions, 12-step recovery, prescription opioid addiction, adolescent addictions, tobacco addiction, fundamentals of addiction, neurofeedback, and PTSD and concurrent disorders. The conference is intended for physicians and psychiatrists, but it is also relevant to nurses and other healthcare workers. The conference takes place from 8am-5:15pm at the Crown Isle Resort and Conference Centre, located at 399 Clubhouse Drive, Courtenay. Cost: free. To register visit www.carbc.ca or send a fax to 250-721-8774.

Ongoing Family Resources & Referral Information

Reaching Families Project (BC Schizophrenia Society/ HeretoHelp)
Families to Refer: Relatives or supporters looking for support groups or education events for themselves in their area of BC. No limitations by diagnosis. Relatives, parents, siblings, adult children, family of choice, lesbian /gay / LGTB.

Multi-agency support group listing:http://www.meetings.bcss.org

Family events calendar http://www.bcss.org/familycalendar/

Online support groups for family members – (facilitated) including groups for adult children, lesbian/gay family of choice and siblings

Population-specific resource e-newsletters - feature and promote resources for family members to various audiences.

**If your agency provides support or information events or groups to relatives/supporters of persons with a mental illness in BC, please send in your information for posting on this calendar to onlinesupport@bcss.org

Kelty Resource Centre
Families to Refer: Families needing help finding and accessing mental health info and services for children/youth with a mental health concern, youth with a mental health concern, adults/youth with eating disorder. Run by BC Mental Health and Addictions Services – office in BC Children and Women’s Hospital, service area BC-wide through phone and email.

BC Schizophrenia Society
Families to Refer: Families of persons with a serious and persistent mental illness (including but not limited to schizophrenia, psychosis, schizoaffective disorders) All family members welcome at support groups, family education groups (regardless of family member diagnosis). Kids in Control program provides service to children 8-13 of parents with any kind of mental illness, as does Family Respite program. Online support groups for family members is also not diagnosis-limited and are facilitated including groups for adult children, lesbian/gay family of choice and siblings. Referral details at the above links. Service areas: BC wide except respite and kids programs.

The FORCE For Kids Mental Health
Families to refer:Parents of children with a mental illness looking for support and information. Service area: specific regions, see website.

Here To Help Website
BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions information offers a wide variety of general audience information on mental health, addictions and mental wellness. All information is evidence based. Funded by provincial health authority.

Studies looking for Participants

A listing of research studies looking for participants is now available here

Acknowledgements

This resource is developed by the BC Schizophrenia Society. Funding for this project was provided by BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, an agency of PHSA.

The BC Schizophrenia Society is a member of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.  The BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information are a group of seven leading provincial mental health and addictions nonprofit agencies.  The seven partners are Anxiety BC, BC Schizophrenia Society, Centre for Addictions Research of BC, Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division, F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids Mental Health, Jessie’s Hope Society, and Mood Disorder’s Association of BC.  Since 2003, we've been working together to help individuals and families better prevent, recognize and manage mental health and substance use problems. BC Partners work is funded by BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. We also receive some additional support from the Ministry of Children and Family Development.  The BC Partners are behind the ac claimed HeretoHelp website.  Visit us at www.heretohelp.bc.ca.

UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS

For more events, please visit the family calendar www.familyevents.bcss.org. View events sorted by location.

UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS

For more events, please visit the family calendar www.familyevents.bcss.org. View events sorted by location. Submit an event

Register Now

Vancouver - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together - Registration Now Open (12:00 pm)

Throughout BC - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together Courses Start Spring & Fall (all day)

Surrey/Delta/Langley/White Rock - Strengthening Families Together Course (2:00 pm)

Nanaimo - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together - Registration Open for April 7 Course (11:00 am)

Vanderhoof - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together Registration Open Now (8:00 pm)

Prince George - BCSS - The Role of Family Members in Recovery - Register Now (8:00 pm)

1 March:

Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2:00 pm)

Online Support Groups for Family / Supporters (all day)

Langley - BCSS - Family Support Group - 1st Mondays (7:00 pm)

Abbotsford - FORCE - Group for Parents of Children/Youth - 1st Mondays (7:00 pm)

2 March:

Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10:00 am)

Chilliwack - BCSS - Caring and Sharing Family Support Group - 1st Tuesdays (7:30 pm)

3 March:

Chilliwack - FORCE - Parents of Children Group - 1st Wednesdays (6:30 pm)

Victoria - FORCE - Parents of Children Group - 1st Wednesdays (7:00 pm)

Delta - CHMA - Family Support Group - 1st & 3rd Weds. (7:30 pm)

4 March:

Prince George - BCSS - Family Support Group - 1st Thursdays (6:30 pm)

Tri-Cities - FORCE - Parents of Children Group - 1st Thursdays (6:30 pm)

Prince George - BCSS - Lighten Up Family Support & Education Series (6:30 pm)

Fraser Region - Family Focus Groups (6:30 pm)

Abbotsford - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 1st and 3rd Thursdays (7:00 pm)

Prince George - BCSS - The Role of Family Members in Recovery - Register Now (8:00 pm)

5 March:

Fort St. John - BCSS - Breakfast Support Group - 1st Fridays (7:30 am)

8 March:

Burns Lake - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (2:00 pm)

Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2:00 pm)

Kamloops - CMHA - Family Support Group - 2nd Mondays (6:00 pm)

Surrey/Delta/White Rock - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Mondays (7:00 pm)

Coquitlam/TriCities - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Mondays (7:30 pm)

Vanderhoof - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together Registration Open Now (8:00 pm)

9 March:

Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10:00 am)

Fraser Lake - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (2:00 pm)

Quesnel - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Tuesdays (7:30 pm)

10 March:

Burns Lake Southside - BCSS - Family Outreach Support - 2nd Wednesday (9:00 am)

Smithers - BCSS - Caregivers Support Group - 2nd Wednesday of the month (2:00 pm)

Burns Lake Southside - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (2:00 pm)

Ladner/Tsaw - MDA/CMHA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (7:00 pm)

Langley - FH - Family Support Group (7:00 pm)

11 March:

Nelson - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Thursdays (7:00 pm)

Penticton - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Thursdays (7:00 pm)

Victoria - BCSS - Family Support Group (7:00 pm)

15 March:

Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2:00 pm)

Fraser Lake - BCSS - Workshop on Depression (2:00 pm)

Powell River - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Mondays (7:00 pm)

Vancouver - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 3rd Mondays (7:00 pm)

16 March:

Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10:00 am)

Vanderhoof - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (11:00 am)

Williams Lake and Area - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays (6:00 pm)

Powell River - BCSS - Quarterly Branch Meeting (7:00 pm)

Campbell River - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays (7:00 pm)

Squamish - NSSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesday of the month (7:30 pm)

Terrace - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays (7:30 pm)

17 March:

Fort St. John - BCSS - Evening Support Group - 3rd Wednesday (7:00 pm)

Vancouver - IMH/UBC - Frames of Mind Movie Series (7:00 pm)

West Vancouver - NSSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Wednesdays (7:30 pm)

Delta - CHMA - Family Support Group - 1st & 3rd Weds. (7:30 pm)

Burnaby/New West - BCSS - Kids in Control - Registration open for winter 2010 course start (8:00 pm)

18 March:

Surrey / Whiterock - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Thursdays (1:30 pm)

Prince George - Strengthening Families Together (6:30 pm)

Prince George - BCSS - Lighten Up Family Support & Education Series (6:30 pm)

Abbotsford - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 1st and 3rd Thursdays (7:00 pm)

Burnaby/New West - BCSS - Kids in Control - Registration open for winter 2010 course start (8:00 pm)

20 March:

Victoria - BCSS - Family EPI Group - 3rd Saturdays (11:30 am)

22 March:

Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2:00 pm)

Vancouver - BCSS - Family Support Group - 4th Mondays (6:30 pm)

23 March:

Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10:00 am)

Vernon - BCSS - Family Support Group - 4th Tuesdays (evening) (7:00 pm)

24 March:

Ladner/Tsaw - MDA/CMHA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (7:00 pm)

Langley - FH - Family Support Group (7:00 pm)

25 March:

Smithers - Consumer & Family Initiatives Committee - 4th Thursdays (12:00 pm)

Nanaimo - BCSS - Share & Care Family Support Group - last Thursday of the month (6:30 pm)

Salmon Arm - BCSS - Family Support Group - Last Thursdays (7:00 pm)

Vancouver - VCH - Family Caregiver Support Group (6:30 pm)

29 March:

Burns Lake - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (2:00 pm)

Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2:00 pm)

Kitimat - BCSS - Family Support Group - last Mondays (7:00 pm)

30 March:

Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10:00 am)

Abbotsford - BCSS - Family support group - Last Tuesdays (7:00 pm)

31 March:

Kamloops - BCSS - Support & Info Sessions - Wednesdays (4:00 pm)

McBride - BCSS - Family Support Group - last Wednesdays (7:30 pm)

1 April:

Northeast - Strengthening Families Course Accepting Registrations (all day)

Online Support Groups for Family / Supporters (all day)

Tri-Cities - FORCE - Parents of Children Group - 1st Thursdays (6:30 pm)

Prince George - BCSS - Family Support Group - 1st Thursdays (6:30 pm)

Prince George - BCSS - Lighten Up Family Support & Education Series (6:30 pm)

Abbotsford - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 1st and 3rd Thursdays (7:00 pm)

Kamloops - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together Course Accepting Registrations (all day)

For more events, please visit the family calendar