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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BCSS Members-only Event: An Evening with Dr. Mahesh Menon
BCSS hosted its first Members Only Event featuring Dr. Mahesh Menon in October 2021, where he talked about cognitive losses associated with schizophrenia and psychosis, and provided a brief overview of Cognitive Remediation Training (CRT) and how can the different types of CR interventions can help. Our members also got to ask him questions about CRT and more.
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.
Dec7
BCSS Sunshine Coast Branch: Family Support Group – Every Other Tuesday
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Arrowhead CentreSechelt, BC
Organizer: Donna Sunshine Coast Branch
View Event Details
Dec8
Smithers BCSS: Caregivers Support Group – 2nd Wednesdays
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
BCSS SmithersSmithers, BC
Organizer: Clara Donnelly
View Event Details
Dec8
Vancouver Island Region BCSS: Strengthening Families Together (Virtual)
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
BCSS – Virtual, British Columbia
Organizer: Melissa Trowbridge
View Event Details
Dec8
Northwest Region BCSS: Strengthening Families Together (Virtual)
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
BCSS Northwest Region – VirtualNorthwest BC, BC
Organizer: Clara Donnelly
View Event Details
Dec9
Smithers BCSS: Consumer & Family Initiatives Committee – 2nd Thursdays
10:00 am – 11:00 am
BCSS SmithersSmithers, BC
Organizer: Clara Donnelly
View Event Details
Dec9
Oliver BCSS: Weekly Mental Illness Family Support Group – Thursdays
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.
After spending half a century of her life working – and almost half of this time working with the BCSS family – it is time for Kim Dixon, our beloved Regional Manager of the Northern Interior Region, to move on to a new phase of life with newer possibilities. Our hearts are heavy and our arms are full with everything that Kim has given this organization over the years.
The entire BCSS team wishes her all the best for all that the future has in store for her. On her last working day at BCSS, read about her journey in her own words.
Kim Brandon (1956)
Mile Marker 66
As I…
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Nov 12, 2021
News
Dr. Mahesh Menon, Recipient of BCSS’ 2021 Champion Award
This past October, as BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) gathered for its annual AGM, we took the opportunity to recognize Dr. Mahesh Menon for all…
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Nov 9, 2021
Education, Events
BCSS Members-Only Event: An Evening with Dr. Mahesh Menon
On October 28, 2021 BCSS hosted its first BCSS Members Only Event featuring Dr. Mahesh Menon, Clinical Associate Professor in the UBC Department…
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Oct 23, 2021
News, Research
An Open Letter From Ontario to the BC Government in Defence of Their Mental Health Act
