Hello Everyone!

Happy Groundhog Day! I'm sure the snowdrops and crocuses will be blooming very soon! I have some announcements to share with you and some dates I hope you will circle and remember!

Vancouver Support Group: 4th Monday of each month

I'm pleased to be able to offer a once a month support group for family members and friends of those living with a mental illness- I welcome all who wish to attend. There are several support groups currently being offered in Vancouver- this one I hope will address the needs of those coping with loved ones with a diagnosis of psychosis or schizophrenia and related disorders. Until it is up and running I don't know what the need is and am interested in hearing from the folks who attend, what would be helpful.

The first meeting will be on Monday, February 23rd, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Raven Song Community Health Centre, 2450 Ontario Street (about two blocks west of Main at W8th). It has lots of free parking nearby. The support group will be in one of the basement rooms of the building.

The meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of each month until further notice. If you forget where or when, please give me a call or email me! To get things started I will be facilitating the group but hope to have a family member to co-facilitate with me in the future.

Strengthening Families Together

This ten week, free, education and support group, will begin on Thursday, February 26th, also at Raven Song (as above) and on Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm until April 30th. Please register with me by calling 604-247-1884 or emailing lproudfoot@bcss.org if you wish to attend. There's still room in the course and I would be happy to answer any questions about it. There has been a lot of positive feedback about SFT from those who attend.

The program offers information about Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders, as well as treatment, understanding the system, coping as a family, concurrent disorders, and advocacy. There's a lot of information but also time to share and get support from others.

The next SFT course will not be offered in Vancouver until the fall so if you're interested, think about signing up now!

Upcoming Education Evenings with the Vancouver/Richmond Branch of BCSS

Concurrent Disorders

Please join us on Tuesday, March 17th, at 7 pm, to hear Lori Rock speak about Concurrent Disorders. Lori works as a family and youth clinician at the Centre for Concurrent Disorders in Vancouver. Lori will be sharing her expertise and will be available for questions and discussion following her presentation.The meeting will be held at Coast Foundation, 293 East 11th Avenue. This event is open to anyone interested in the topic.

Social Functioning

On Tuesday, April 21st at 7 pm, Dr. Phillip Long, a well known local psychiatrist, and a panel of clients will be discussing social functioning for people with mental illness and how to improve it. The evening will be held at St. James Community Square (at Trutch and W10th Avenue) in Vancouver. All are welcome to attend.

Please put these dates in your calendar and join us for coffee, dessert, and discussion!

There's a lot going on! I look forward to meeting you at any of the above events. Please come up and introduce yourself if we haven't met yet!

Cheers,

Linda Proudfoot, Coordinator

604-247-1884

lproudfoot@bcss.org