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

IMPORTANT: Due to site maintenance, information on the events calendar might not be up to date. BCSS offers direct support, family support groups, and other services virtually or in-person across the province.
Please check in with the Regional Educator in your region for the correct details of programs and services in your region.

Mar 23

BCSS Victoria – Family Support Group

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Oaklands Community Association Victoria, British Columbia

Organizer: Nancy Murphy

View Event Details
Mar 25

BCSS Quesnel: Families in Residence – Saturdays

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

GR Baker Memorial Hospital Quesnel, BC

Organizer: Gail Rutledge

View Event Details
Mar 27

Kamloops BCSS: Family Support Group – 4th Mondays

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Mental Health & Addictions Services Kamloops, BC.

View Event Details
Mar 27

Kamloops BCSS: Family Support Group – 4th Mondays

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Mental Health & Addictions Services Kamloops, BC.

View Event Details
Mar 27

Kamloops BCSS: Family Support Group – 4th Mondays

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Mental Health & Addictions Services Kamloops, BC.

View Event Details
Mar 28

BCSS Sunshine Coast Branch: Family Support Group – Every Other Tuesday

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Arrowhead Centre Sechelt, BC

Organizer: Donna Sunshine Coast Branch

View Event Details
View All Events

Do you want to make a difference in lives of BC families?
Get 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. Becoming a member at BCSS is free of cost!

Become a BCSS member

Help Families Find Hope This Holiday Season

Donate Today!
Read Julie’s Story


BCSS’ Podcast

Take a listen to the three seasons of “Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined.” where we chat with family members, people with lived experience, and professionals to explore the intricacies of schizophrenia and other serious mental illness.

Listen Today!

Watch the Recording of the Event

Watch BCSS’ New Symptoms Video

 With support from Abbvie Canada, BCSS has released a video to help people learn about some of the more common symptoms of schizophrenia.

Watch the Full Video

What’s Current At BCSS

Mar 15, 2023
Education, Family Support, Uncategorized

People Behind BCSS: Rosemary’s Story

We all know how BCSS helps families find support. We all know that BCSS is there when people need them. But who are the people who make BCSS what it is? Why do they do what they do? Everybody has a story that drives them to passionately support families in need. This time, we bring you BCSS’ Community Presentations Coordinator, Rosemary Sojka’s story:

Why did I join BCSS? Is there a story lurking in the background? Every story has a thread of connection and mine was my younger brother Johnny.

I still remember quite vividly the birthdays, holidays, and those special moments that the two…

Read More

Mar 15, 2023
BCSS Youth, Uncategorized

BCSS Youth Presents at the Healthy Minds, Healthy Campuses Summit

The BCSS Youth team presented at the Healthy Minds, Healthy Campuses (HM/HC) biennial summit held from February 27 – March 1, 2023. Held…

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Mar 14, 2023
BCSS Youth, Kids & Teens in Control, News, Uncategorized

Mental Health First Aid – Supporting Youth Course: BCSS Youth Staff Training

This February, the BCSS Youth team and some of the BCSS facilitators completed the Mental Health First Aid – Supporting Youth course. This…

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Feb 10, 2023
Uncategorized

Exciting Changes to BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) Membership Structure

The BC Schizophrenia Society is excited to announce some major changes to its membership structure that went into effect this month. Our…

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