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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.bcss.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for BC Schizophrenia Society
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260921T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260921T200000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260715T175030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T211122Z
UID:10013874-1790015400-1790020800@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Haida Gwaii Dementia Care Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Are you overwhelmed? Don’t know where to turn for help?  If you are caregiving for a loved one who suffers from any form of dementia (including Alzheimer’s)\, we meet monthly to bring caregivers together to share the common challenges of caring for an aging parent or spouse suffering from dementia. \nA safe space for families and care partners to share\, learn and connect. Sweet treats and good company provided. \nHaida Gwaii Dementia Care Support Group – In-Person \n\nDate: Mondays\, every 3 weeks\nTime: 6:30 – 8:00 pm\nLocation: Seniors Room (beside the library) – 138 Bay St.\, Daajing Giids \nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Shelley Braun at haidagwaii@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/haida-gwaii-dementia-care-support-group-3/2026-09-21/
LOCATION:Daajing  Giidsv – Seniors Room next to the Daajing Giids Library\, 138 Bay St\,\, Daajing Giidsv\, BC\, V0T 1S0
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Shelley Braun":MAILTO:haidagwaii@bcss.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260922T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260922T173000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260825T215541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T215541Z
UID:10013754-1790092800-1790098200@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Smithers Mental Health Family Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Are you overwhelmed? Don’t know where to turn for help?  If you are caregiving for a loved one with mental illness\, we meet monthly to bring caregivers together to share the common challenges. \n\nDate: 4th Tuesday of every month\nTime: 4:00 – 5:30 pm\nLocation: 3862-B Broadway Avenue\, Smithers\nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Clara Donnelly at bulkleyvalley@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/mental-health-family-support-group-3-2-2-2/2026-09-22/
LOCATION:3862-B Broadway Avenue\, Smithers\, BC V0J 2N0\, 3862-B Broadway Avenue\, Smithers\, BC V0J 2N0\, Smithers\, BC\, V0J 2N0\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Clara%C2%A0Donnelly":MAILTO:bulkleyvalley@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260922T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20260922T200000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260723T213945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T214019Z
UID:10013962-1790101800-1790107200@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Cranbrook Family Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Do you have a friend or family member living with mental illness? – You are not alone  \nBCSS Interior Region is running in-person Family Support Groups for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness.  \nBCSS Family Support Groups offer a safe and supportive environment for family and friends to share\, ask questions\, and connect with others who are also supporting a loved one with mental illness or substance use disorder. Family Support Groups are led by trained facilitators or educators\, and they provide support and resources to family members and caregivers of individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness. \n  \nFamily Support Group – In-Person \n\nThe support group will be held every fourth Tuesday of the month\nTime: 6:30 – 8:00 pm MST\nLocation: Cranbrook District Teachers Association Office – #304 – 105 – 9th Avenue South\, Cranbrook\, BC V1C 2M1\nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Bonnie Spence-Vinge at intmanager@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/cranbrook-family-support-group-3-2/2026-09-22/
LOCATION:Cranbrook District Teachers Association Office\, #304 – 105 – 9th Avenue South\, Cranbrook\, BC\, V1C 2M1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Bonnie Spence-Vinge":MAILTO:intmanager@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260923T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260923T150000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260706T172008Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260706T172008Z
UID:10013863-1790168400-1790175600@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Strengthening Families Together - Vancouver Island
DESCRIPTION:Strengthening Families Together (SFT) is a six-session program that provides knowledge\, support\, and tools for families to better cope with serious mental illnesses. \nParticipating families learn about the impacts of stigma as well as information about psychosis\, schizophrenia\, mood disorders\, and other severe and persistent mental illnesses. \nTopics covered include treatments for mental illness\, side effects\, and the impacts of substance use. Sessions also cover communication skills\, stress management tools\, self-care planning\, crisis planning\, and family advocacy. This program also provides information about the BC mental health system. \nThrough discussion and group exercises\, families build supportive connections with others who share similar experiences and learn how to access BCSS Family Support Groups\, services\, and other resources available across the province. \n\nDates:\n\nWednesday – September 9\, 16\, 23\nThursday – October 1\nWednesday\, October 7\, and 14\n\n\nTime: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (~5-10min break included)\nLocation: Zoom (link provided after registration)\nFacilitators: Michelle Gallant (North Island Regional Educator) & Christine Riddell (Central Vancouver Island Regional Educator)
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/strengthening-families-together-vancouver-island/2026-09-23/
LOCATION:BCSS Vancouver Island – Virtual\, Parksville\, BC\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Strengthening Families Together
ORGANIZER;CN="Christine Riddell":MAILTO:centralvi@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260924T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260924T203000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260901T225136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T174803Z
UID:10014129-1790276400-1790281800@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Lower Mainland Family Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Do you have a friend or family member living with mental illness? – You are not alone  \nBCSS Vancouver Coastal Region is running Family Support Groups for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness.  \nFamily Support Groups offer a safe and supportive environment for family and friends to share\, ask questions\, and connect with others who are also supporting a loved one with mental illness. Family Support Groups are led by trained facilitators or educators\, and they provide support and resources to family members and caregivers of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. \nFamily Support Group – In-Person \n\nThe support group will be held Thursdays on September 24 | October 22 | November 26\nTime: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm\nLocation: Central City Library – 10350 University Dr\, Surrey (Meeting Room # 401)\nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Hardeep Thind at 604-787-1814 or coastmanager@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/lower-mainland-family-support-group-11/2026-09-24/
LOCATION:Central City Library\, 10350 University Dr\, Surrey\, British Columbia\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Hardeep Thind":MAILTO:coastmanager@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260925T101500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260925T114500
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260826T171517Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T171526Z
UID:10014110-1790331300-1790336700@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:North Vancouver Island Family Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Do you have a friend or family member living with mental illness? – You are not alone \nBCSS Vancouver Island region is offering Family Support Groups for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness. \nOur Family Support Groups provide a safe\, supportive\, and confidential space where family members and friends can share experiences\, ask questions\, and connect with others who understand what it’s like to support a loved one living with mental illness. Groups are facilitated by trained BCSS educators and offer guidance\, emotional support\, and valuable resources to help families navigate their journeys. \nFamily Support Group – In Person \n\nDates: Last Friday of the month\nTime: 10:15 – 11:45 AM PST\nLocation: Courtenay Library\nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Michelle Gallant at northvi@bcss.org or 250-937-0782
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/north-vancouver-island-family-support-group-4/2026-09-25/
LOCATION:Courteney Library\, 300 6th St\, Courtenay\, BC\, V9N 9V9\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Michelle Gallant":MAILTO:northvi@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260925T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260925T150000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260601T204120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T172253Z
UID:10013738-1790343000-1790348400@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Port Alberni Family Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Do you have a friend or family member living with mental illness? – You are not alone  \nBCSS Vancouver Island Region runs Family Support Groups for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness.  \nThis offers a safe and supportive environment for family and friends to share\, ask questions\, and connect with others who are also supporting a loved one with mental illness or substance use disorder. Family Support Groups are led by trained facilitators or educators\, and they provide support and resources to family members and caregivers of individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness. \nFamily Support Group \n\nThe support group will be held every 4th Friday every second month\nLocation: Hemlock Room at the Echo Aquatic and Fitness Centre – 4255 Wallace St\, Port Alberni\, BC V9Y 3Y6\nTime: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm\nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Christine Riddell at centralvi@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/port-alberni-family-support-group/2026-09-25/
LOCATION:Echo Aquatic and Fitness Centre (Hemlock Room)\, 4255 Wallace St\, Port Alberni\, BC\, V9Y 3Y6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Christine Riddell":MAILTO:centralvi@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260926T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260926T150000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260724T190110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T232920Z
UID:10014021-1790427600-1790434800@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:2026 Annual General Meeting and Education Session
DESCRIPTION:Register today! Scroll down to the bottom of the page to register.\n \nThe 2026 BC Schizophrenia Society Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Education Session will take place Saturday\, September 26\, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel & Resort (10251 St Edwards Dr\, Richmond\, BC V6X 2M9).  \nThis event will provide important information about the past fiscal year and a thought-provoking presentation about cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia\, and the value of assessing them in both treatment-resistant and non-treatment-resistant cases. The AGM and Education Session will begin with the business portion\, followed by the introduction of our keynote speaker\, Dr. Ivan Torres\, and will include a Q&A.  \nEvent Schedule\n\n1:00pm: Welcome by BCSS\n1:10 pm: BCSS Annual General Meeting\n1:50 pm: Break\n2:00pm: Opening Remarks\n2:10pm: Keynote Presentation by Dr. Ivan Torres\n2:25pm: Q&A Session\n3:00pm: Event Ends \n\nKeynote Speaker: Dr. Ivan Torres\nDr. Torres is a clinical neuropsychologist and a leading expert in cognitive functioning in mental illness in BC. Being both a clinician and researcher\, Dr. Torres works in multiple capacities at a provincial and national level to improve understanding of cognitive symptoms\, as well as how they are measured and treated in people with schizophrenia. He received funding in 2021 for his five-year project at BC Psychosis through a partnership agreement between the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society Foundation and Michael Smith Health Research BC.   \nAs a member of the Canadian Network for Research in Schizophrenia and Psychoses\, he is currently involved in developing standardized cognitive testing in psychotic disorders to improve how these symptoms are measured in research and clinical contexts. Dr. Torres also plays a key role in educating other health professionals on cognitive assessment in patients with severe mental illness. \nBecome a BCSS Member\nJoin the BCSS community by becoming a member through our membership form. Membership is FREE and comes with several benefits\, including:  \n\nAccess to exclusive events\nVoting rights at the BCSS Annual General Meeting\nOpportunities to share your experiences on the BCSS website\, newsletters\, and social media channels \n\n  \nThis event is supported by an educational grant from AbbVie. For more info visit abbvie.ca \n  \n \n  \n\n Please note: Confirmation emails may land in your spam or junk folder — kindly check there if you don’t see it in your inbox. If you encounter any issues with registration\, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at marketing@bcss.org. \n📌 When registering\, kindly include your FIRST and LAST name. Thank you!
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/2026-annual-general-meeting-and-education-session/
LOCATION:Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel & Resort\, 10251 St Edwards Dr\, Richmond\, British Columbia\, V6X 2M9\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Annual General Meeting
ORGANIZER;CN="BCSS Events":MAILTO:events@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260928T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260928T193000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20251212T183621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T184356Z
UID:10013272-1790618400-1790623800@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Nelson Family Support Group - Virtual
DESCRIPTION:Do you have a friend or family member living with mental illness? – You are not alone. \nBCSS West Kooteney is running virtual Family Support Groups for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness.  \nBCSS Family Support Groups offer a safe and supportive environment for family and friends to share\, ask questions\, and connect with others who are also supporting a loved one with mental illness or substance use disorder. Family Support Groups are led by trained facilitators or educators\, and they provide support and resources to family members and caregivers of individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness. \nFamily Support Group – Virtual \n\nThe support group will be held every 4th Monday of the month\nTime: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm\nSession to be held via Zoom\nFor more information or to join this family support group\, please contact Reasha Wolfe at westkootenay@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/nelson-family-support-group-virtual-2-2/2026-09-28/
LOCATION:BCSS – Virtual\, British Columbia\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Reasha Wolfe":MAILTO:westkootenay@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260928T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260928T203000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260901T224937Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T175725Z
UID:10014128-1790622000-1790627400@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Lower Mainland Virtual Family Support Group
DESCRIPTION:BCSS Vancouver Coastal Region is running virtual Family Support Groups for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with a severe and persistent mental illness.  \nFamily Support Groups offer a safe and supportive environment for family and friends to share\, ask questions\, and connect with others who are also supporting a loved one with mental illness. Family Support Groups are led by trained facilitators or educators\, and they provide support and resources to family members and caregivers of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. \n\nDates:\n\nSeptember 8\, 14 and 28\nOctober 13 and 26\nNovember 9 and 17\nDecember 1 and 14\n\n\nLocation: Virtual via Zoom\n\nFor the Zoom link\, please contact Hardeep Thind at 604-787-1814 or coastmanager@bcss.org
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/lower-mainland-virtual-family-support-group-6/2026-09-28/
LOCATION:BCSS – Virtual\, British Columbia\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Hardeep Thind":MAILTO:coastmanager@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260929T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260929T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T025501
CREATED:20260703T223549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260703T223732Z
UID:10013788-1790695800-1790701200@www.bcss.org
SUMMARY:Kids in Control - Maple Ridge
DESCRIPTION:Kids in Control is a free education and support program for children ages 8 – 12. This is offered to the youth who have a family member with mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia\, bipolar disorder\, depression\, etc.) and/or substance use issues. Through games\, crafts\, and stigma-free conversations about mental health\, kids will gain tools they can use for life. Each participant also receives a Kids in Control Care Box filled with activities to make each session even more engaging. \nKids in Control (In-Person) \n\nEvery Tuesday from September 29 – November 17\, 2026\nLocation: 22323 119th Avenue\, Maple Ridge\nTime: 3:30 – 5:00 PM\nFor more information or to join this\, please reach out to:\n\nKayla at frasereast@bcssyouth.org or 778-839-1458\nAmber at frasernorth@bcssyouth.org or 604-353-6669
URL:https://www.bcss.org/event/kids-in-control-maple-ridge/2026-09-29/
LOCATION:22323 119th Avenue\, Maple Ridge\, 22323 119th Avenue\, Maple Ridge\, BC\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Family Support Group
ORGANIZER;CN="Kayla Arnold":MAILTO:frasereast@bcss.org
END:VEVENT
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