These are troubling days when people are unable to imagine what tomorrow will look like. At the BC Schizophrenia Society, this is often made worse as many of the people we support are supporting loved ones themselves and helping them manage their thoughts and feelings in addition to their own.
During this time, BC Schizophrenia Society Regional Educators are still actively helping families online and by phone. We’re looking at new ways to get information and education to those who need us the most during this especially difficult time. If you need help in supporting a family member or friend who is living with schizophrenia or another persistent mental illness, please email info@bcss.org or call 1-888-888-0029 to reach a local Regional Educator near you. We are here for you.
In addition to this, we’ll be trying to keep the following list of resources updated on a weekly basis. These are resources and information from our partner organizations and other schizophrenia societies across Canada that we think are particularly useful for anyone affected by schizophrenia or other serious mental illness.
Useful Tips & Strategies to Manage Mental Health & Mental Illness
Some of these tips and strategies may be useful for families, caregivers, and people living with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses to do together.
- Caregiving in the Era of COVID-19: What to expect and how to cope (Fact Sheet) (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
- COVID-19 and Anxiety (HeretoHelp Fact Sheet)
Coping with Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Anxiety Canada) - Support During COVID-19 (Institute for Advancements in Mental Health – formerly Schizophrenia Society of Ontario)
- Mental Health and the COVID-10 Pandemic (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)
- Caring for Your Mental Health During COVID-19 (Mood Disorders Society of Canada)
- Mental Health Commission of Canada COVID-19 Resources
- COVID-19: Stay Well in Uncertain Times (Canadian Mental Health Association microsite)
- Talking to Children about COVID-19 (Kelty Mental Health Resources Centre)
- Coping with COVID-19 (Articles, resources, and apps through Anxiety Canada)
- BC Schizophrenia Society Programs & COVID-19 (BC Schizophrenia Society Programs & Services)
Resources & More Information
During this time, it is crucial to stay in contact, consult, and work with your healthcare provider and/or mental health teams to manage a person’s continuation of care.
Here are some useful information and resources on how the healthcare system is adapting to the current situation:
- BC Pharmacists Message To Patients On Medication Supplies During COVID-19
- BC COVID-19 Mental Health Network (Free short term one-on-one counselling for those struggling with COVID related impacts)
- Access to Medication and Continuation of Care for People with Serious Mental Illness During COVID-19 (BCSS blog post)
- What You Need to Know if You’re on Clozapine During COVID-19 (BCSS blog post)
- “Schizophrenia in the Time of COVID-19: The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Families Affected by Schizophrenia” (Presentations by Drs Diane McIntosh and Randall White for BC Schizophrenia Society)
For current information on the provincial response, please visit the BC Ministry of Health and BC Centre for Disease Control.
For current information on what is happening in your local Health Authority, please visit the website for your local Health Authority.
(Updated: Friday, October 16, 2020)