On June 19, 2019, the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) presented to the Select Standing Committee on Finance in Fort St. John. The Committee regularly hosts a public consultation process on the provincial budget following the release of the budget consultation paper by the Minister of Finance. BCSS’ report focused on four key recommendations for the 2020 BC Budget for the Committee to consider to improve the mental health system for family members and break down the stigma of serious mental illness.
Recommendations from the BCSS Report:
- Increase funding for additional acute and tertiary care psychiatric beds throughout the province.
- Increase funding for family and caregiver support services and education in the community.
- Increase funding for community-based mental health services and supports for youth at risk of severe mental illness or those who have family members living with schizophrenia and severe mental illness.
- Expand education and access to resources on schizophrenia and severe mental illness to reduce stigma and discrimination.
These recommendations grew from BC Schizophrenia Society’s four pillars—support, education, public policy, and research. These recommendations also reflect BCSS’ goals of increasing support for families with a loved one living with schizophrenia, psychosis, and/or severe mental illness throughout the province. BCSS is currently scheduling meetings with Ministers, MLAs, and bureaucrats as the next step in this campaign to move these recommendations forward.
If you have any questions or comments about this report, please contact Andrew Stewart at 604 270-7841 or operations@bcss.org.
Read the Full Recommendation Report for Budget Submissions 2020.