On National Schizophrenia Day, Tuesday, May 24, Health Minister Terry Lake announced that the B.C. Ministry of Health will be providing B.C. Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) with a total of $3 million in funding over the next five years. This generous funding will help BCSS meet our mandate of providing support and education to families and their ill relatives suffering from schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses; increase public awareness and understanding of mental illness; advocate on behalf of families and people with serious mental illness for improved services; and promote research into the causes, treatment, and ultimate cure of schizophrenia.
“This funding will literally save lives, in addition to reducing hospitalizations and homelessness across the province,” said Deborah Conner, executive director of B.C. Schizophrenia Society. “We have families and friends who are seeking access to support for their loved one reaching out to BCSS. Today, the B.C. government has answered their call. On behalf of families across B.C., we are grateful.”
Currently, there is a need for more equitable access to services in B.C. for the mentally ill and their caregivers. Through this funding, new outreach educator positions are being created to help provide direct services and emergency support for families and their ill relatives in a variety of underserved communities across B.C., including parts of the Fraser Valley, Okanagan, Northern B.C., and Vancouver Island. We’ll also be reinstating services in key areas across Vancouver, Richmond and Sunshine Coast where services had been previously reduced due to funding cuts.
“If unsupported, there can be many health, social and economic consequences associated with schizophrenia and psychosis,” said Lake. “Caregivers provide immeasurable support to loved ones who are dealing with serious mental illness, and by helping take care of their own mental wellness, we are also helping them provide love and support to those struggling with these illnesses.”
Through BCSS outreach educators, who work closely with local health authorities, BCSS is able to provide important frontline and emergency support, which includes listening to family concerns, referring to other services, assisting with access to community supports, troubleshooting and helping families navigate the mental health system.
This funding also allows BCSS to offer programs like Strengthening Families Together and Strengthening Families Together (First Nations Edition), and family support groups or family peer support in more communities across B.C. Additionally, BCSS educators can deliver education and support through school programming, and a Partnership Education Program, which is geared toward professionals such as policing agencies, human resource departments, hospital staff and universities. BCSS educators also provide information to the public at community events, raising awareness of mental illness and directing people to resources in their local communities.
This network of educators, facilitators and family support workers will help advance B.C.’s mental health strategies. BCSS is excited about this partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Health in moving these initiatives ahead to support all B.C. families and friends living with the impacts of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.
All these programs provide critical education and resources for families and communities in need. We at BCSS would like to extend a huge thank you to Health Minister Lake and the B.C. Ministry of Health for their help in providing a reason to hope and a means to cope.
Other photos from the event:
