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.

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.

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.

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.

  • 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jun 1

BCSS Penticton: Family Support Group Online – 1st & 3rd Thursdays

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

BCSS – Virtual , British Columbia

Organizer: BCSS Penticton Branch (Mental Wellness Centre)

View Event Details
Jun 1

BCSS Victoria – Family Support Group

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Oaklands Community Association Victoria, British Columbia

Organizer: Nancy Murphy

View Event Details
Jun 2

Keremeos BCSS: Family Support Group – 1st Fridays

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Organizer: BCSS Penticton Branch (Mental Wellness Centre)

View Event Details
Jun 2

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

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Organizer: Julie Kornelsen

View Event Details
Jun 3

BCSS Quesnel: Families in Residence – Saturdays

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

GR Baker Memorial Hospital Quesnel, BC

Organizer: Gail Rutledge

View Event Details
Jun 5

Vancouver Coastal Region Family Support Group

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Online

Organizer: Hardeep Thind

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!

Help Families Find Hope This Holiday Season


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.

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.

What’s Current At BCSS

Look Out for Purple lights on May 24th,2023 – National Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness Day

Every year on May 24th, National Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness Day is celebrated to raise awareness about schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, such as psychosis, which affects approximately 1 out of 100 people in British Columbia, and 3 out of 100 people are affected by psychosis, with onset typically occurring in late adolescence or early adulthood.

The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those affected by schizophrenia and their families, is inviting businesses and organizations to participate in this…

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