Advocacy Archives - BC Schizophrenia Society

COVID-19 & Supporting Someone Living with Schizophrenia

These are troubling days where people are unable to imagine what tomorrow might look like. At the same time, many of the people that we support through BC Schizophrenia Society are also supporting loved ones and helping them manage their thoughts and feelings in addition their own. And during this time, BC Schizophrenia Society Regional […]

BCSS Raises Concerns About The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities

BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS), along with other schizophrenia societies and mental illness organizations, have been closely monitoring what the Canadian government will be recommending related to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Overall, BCSS recognizes that the UN CRPD is important in safeguarding the rights of persons with […]

Is Anybody Listening? A Joint Report by BCSS and BCPA on the Inadequate Access to Acute Psychiatric Beds in British Columbia

Timely access to psychiatric beds in acute care hospitals is an essential and critical service for people suffering from serious mental illness—sometimes with a concurrent substance use disorder —who cannot safely or appropriately be treated as outpatients. The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) and the British Columbia Psychiatric Association (BCPA) often hear serious complaints about these […]

Inpatient Care for People with Serious Mental Illnesses

On Sunday, October 6, 2019, following the BCSS Annual General Meeting there will be a series of short presentations on current issues related to inpatient care for people with serious mental illness. The psychiatric inpatient experience can be very difficult both for patients and their families. These panel presentations aim to explore inpatient care from a […]

BC Schizophrenia Society presents to the BC Select Standing Committee

On June 19, 2019, 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 on the BC Budget […]

BCSS Responds to B.C. Ombudsperson’s Report

Earlier this year, the B.C. Office of the Ombudsperson released a report entitled “Committed to Change: Protecting the Rights of Patients under the Mental Health Act.” This report outlines a number of recommendations related to the care of involuntary psychiatric care. BCSS agrees with and supports the first 20 recommendations in the Ombudsperson’s Report. BCSS believes that […]