Communities Served:

• Fort St. John, Taylor, Hudson's Hope, Fort Nelson & surrounding communities north of the Peace River are served by the Fort St. John office
• Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd & surrounding communities south of the Peace River are served by the Dawson Creek office

Services Provided:

• Free support and information for individuals (family & friends) who support someone who may have or has been diagnosed with a mental illness
• Free handouts, books and videos to borrow on a variety of mental illnesses
• Free education for family members & friends through the Strengthening Families Together Program (contact number above for local details)
• Free support groups for family & friends
• Free education for community groups through our Partnership Education Program or talks on specific subjects related to mental illness (contact number above for local details)

• Houston, Smithers, Hazelton & surrounding communities are served by the Bulkley Valley office
• Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Stewart & surrounding communities are served by the Terrace office
• The Haida Gwaii are served by the Haida Gwaii office.
• The regional manager for BCSS Northwest is Dolly Hall.

• Free support and information for individuals (family & friends) who support someone who may have or has been diagnosed with a mental illness
• Free handouts, books and videos to borrow on a variety of mental illnesses
• Free education for family members & friends through the Strengthening Families Together Program
• Free support groups for family & friends
• Free education for community groups through our Partnership Education Program or talks on specific subjects related to mental illness

Stay in touch by subscribing to our Vancouver / Richmond E-Newsletter

Fax: (604)270-9861

• Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Anxiety Disorders Mental Illness Family & Peer Support, Information & Information Center
• One-on-one support and referral - We offer one-on-one support for any family members/friends with a loved one in recovery from a mental illness during office hours & by appointment outside of the office hours.
• Partnership Presentations
• Resource Center and Library
• Family Education Program (funding provided by Interior Health Authority)
• Family Support Groups In Partnership with the B.C. Schizophrenia Society and Penticton Mental Health Center
• Peer Support Program for South Okanagan Similkameen
• Your Recovery Journey - This program offers five free interactive weekly sessions, each ninety minutes long, and all facilitated by people in recovery who can give you valuable information that will help you on your recovery journey. You'll also learn how to find peer support and build new life skills. Call 250-493-7338 to register.
• Kids in Control
• Puppeteer Program
• National Depression and Anxiety Screening Day
• Walk-the-World (details to be announced - see events schedule)
• Women's Support Group For women in recovery from a mental illness. Monday at 205 Martin Street. Time is under review. Call 250-493-7338 for information. Lead by Peer Support Workers.
• Strengthening Families Together courses on-going Registration Call 250-493-7338 for further (click here for events schedule)
• Special Events
• Newsletter - the Iris Express (bimonthly)

Office Hours:

Location:

"Now We Know A Little More"

"Together we can make a difference."

Services

• Strengthening Families Together Courses - May and September - Free. Contact us to register
• Quarterly Newsletter

Services Provided

• Family Support Groups - Our confidential, monthly family support group provides a caring environment to share your hopes, fears, experiences and knowledge with others who have first hand experience in supporting a loved one with a mental illness. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. (click on link for more information)
• One-To-One Support - Individual support is available if you have questions, concerns or just want to talk to someone.
• Cleaning Service Program for Consumers - This cleaning service aids in improving the emotional and physical well being of mental health consumers. A particular individual may use the service up to twice per year. It is not intended to be used as a regular cleaning service or to be used for “move out” cleaning. Referrals must be provided by a caseworker for approval by BCSS prior to the cleaning service being provided.
• Library - A lending library of books, videos, cds, and dvds related to mental illness/health is available for families, consumers, professionals, and the general public.
• Strengthening Families Together: Do you have a relative or close friend with a serious mental illness? This free 10-session educational support group for families and friends provides information about mental illnesses, coping and communication skills, problem solving, medications and treatments, how to support your loved one and self-care. Sessions take place in the spring and the fall. Please call the office for more information.

• Partnership Education Program - This public education program provides a realistic, well-rounded perspective of mental illness through incorporating views and experiences of individuals who have a mental illness, family members, and mental health professionals. Presentations are available for schools, colleges, universities, service clubs, churches, companies and other interest groups.

We do this by:

• Providing support for both the person with schizophrenia and their family members;
• Providing education and information to the general public about the nature of schizophrenia;
• Improving services and legislation for persons with schizophrenia and their families;
• Promoting and collaborating with government and community partners;
• Providing support for research related to schizophrenia