British Columbia Schizophrenia Society

Helping Families Find A Reason To Hope

If you don’t know where to turn and are at a loss of what to do next to help someone you love who lives with schizophrenia or another serious mental illness.

Talk to a BC Schizophrenia Society Regional Educator. They can help you figure out next steps and help you learn about what you can do to help yourself and your loved one.

FIND A BCSS REGIONAL EDUCATOR

COVID-19 & Supporting Someone With Schizophrenia

A list of resources and information from partner organizations and other schizophrenia societies across Canada that are useful for anyone affected by schizophrenia or other serious mental illness.

List of COVID-19 Resources

Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, seek out help today. If you are in immediate crisis, please call 9-1-1.

How to Get Help for Yourself

Is Your Loved One Experiencing Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

If your loved one may be experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, and they are not in an immediate crisis, take look through this list of tips and resources.

Information for Families

  • What is Schizophrenia?

  • How Can BC Schizophrenia Society Help You?

  • Help for People Living with Schizophrenia

  • Resources Library

  • Find Services in Your Region

  • Sign-Up for the BCSS Newsletter

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness that touches the lives of 1 in 100; that’s approximately than 51,000 British Columbians, and about 377,500 people in Canada.

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of misinformation and myths that exist about schizophrenia.

Learn About Schizophrenia

How Can BC Schizophrenia Society Help You?

Established by family members in 1982, BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) has grown to become a network of Regional Educators and Branches and located across the province providing programs, services, and outreach.

Core services and programs are available in every region, and some select programs are only available upon request and in particular service areas.

BCSS works to help families affected by schizophrenia and other serious mental illness feel less alone, learn about the disease, and find out what services and resources are available to them to access.

List of BCSS Programs and Services

Help for People Living with Schizophrenia

It can be a scary and harrowing experience for people who are experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia.

Some people may think it’s normal, while others will seek to self-medicate.

If you or a loved one thinks you are experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, reach out and talk to a medical professional. By getting help and support immediately, there is an increased probability for better longterm outcomes when it comes to the management of the mental illness.

BCSS does not always work with people with lived experience directly, but we can help you get connected to the resources you need.

Are you seeking help for yourself?
Are you seeking help for a family member?

Resources Library


BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) offers a range of resource materials developed over the years providing information and helping people better understand the illness and understand the illness.

Take a look through our Resource Library to see what information is currently available. We’ll be adding to this list regularly for the next little, so you’ll find many additions as time goes on.

If there is information you are seeking, but can’t find, email info@bcss.org with your request, and we can see what we can do to help.

Visit the Resource Library

Find Services in Your Region

BC Schizophrenia Society Regional Educators are located within different communities across BC.

Connect with a Regional Educator near you to find out what programs and services are being offered in your area.

Connect with A Regional Educator

Sign-Up for the BCSS Newsletter

Stay up-to-date with a digest of BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) related news and articles.

Each e-newsletter contains select BCSS blog posts, research articles, surveys, and information about upcoming BCSS workshops and courses.

Subscribe Today!

Upcoming BCSS Family Support Groups & Programs

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BCSS has adapted how we offer direct support, family support groups, and programs to meet with current Provincial Health Office Orders. Some offerings will be virtual, while others will be in-person with physical distancing criteria in place.

Please check in with the Regional Educator who is offering the program to get details.

Jul 1

BCSS Fort St. John: Breakfast Family Support Group – 1st Fridays

7:30 am – 8:30 am

W Restaurant Fort St. John, BC

Organizer: Julie Kornelsen

View Event Details
Jul 1

BCSS Keremeos: Family Support Group – 1st Fridays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Organizer: BCSS Penticton Branch (Mental Wellness Centre)

View Event Details
Jul 1

BCSS Fraser Lake: Family Support Group – monthly (TBC)

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Fraser Lake, BC Fraser Lake, BC

Organizer: Heather Megchelsen

View Event Details
Jul 1

BCSS Northeast Region (Fort St. John) Breakfast Support Group

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Organizer: Julie Kornelsen

View Event Details
Jul 2

Quesnel BCSS: Families in Residence – Saturdays

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

GR Baker Memorial Hospital Quesnel, BC

Organizer: Gail Rutledge

View Event Details
Jul 4

Creston BCSS: Family Support Group – 1st Mondays

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Erickson Covenant Church Erickson, B.C.

Organizer: Bob Rennebohm

View Event Details
View All Events

Run for BCSS at the
BMO Vancouver Marathon
May 1, 2022

Get ready to walk, run, and fundraise for the BCSS Foundation again.
This year, we’re back in-person. Register yourself today!

Register

Schizophrenia Revealed: The Untold Stories of Schizophrenia

On Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00pm, join BCSS as we will be once again sitting down with individuals and families to hear the real stories behind what it means to live with schizophrenia. How does one cope? What are the challenges?

Register for the Event Today

All BCSS Memberships Expire March 31, 2022.
Renew your BCSS Membership Today!

Add your voice to BC Schizophrenia Society family members working towards building a better world for people living with schizophrenia and other serious mental illness.

Become A Member


BCSS’ Podcast

Every two weeks, listen to a new episode of “Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined.” We’re sitting down with family members, people with lived experience, and professionals to explore the intricacies of schizophrenia and other serious mental illness.

Listen Today!

Come Together: Understanding Privacy and Information Sharing Legislation in Relation to the Mental Health System

Watch the Recorded Event

What’s Current At BCSS

Jun 28, 2022
Uncategorized

Summer heat and prescription medications

Melissa McKenna

For the past 10 years, I have been taking prescription medications for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I’m not ashamed of this, and I don’t try to hide it. I view it as being no different than if I was to say I take medication for diabetes, migraines, or low blood pressure. For this reason, I am writing about my personal experience with prescription medications and their potential side effects.  

I’d like to include a disclaimer, that while the side effects I’ve experienced aren’t always pleasurable, they are by no means reasons that I’d consider…

Read More

Jun 8, 2022
Community Outreach

BCSS Hosts “Strides of Hope” in Lakes District Secondary School (Burns Lake)

Every year, BCSS Regional Educators look for ways to connect with their community, and this year, for World Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness…

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May 25, 2022
News

Province increasing supports for people with serious mental illnesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (Vancouver, B.C.) — British Columbians living with serious and persistent mental illnesses will…

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May 13, 2022
Uncategorized

Bust a Schizophrenia Myth Contest is Back!

Having a mental illness isn’t easy. But one thing that makes it harder is dealing with misunderstandings and misbeliefs about your…

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