BC Schizophrenia Society provides family support groups throughout the province. Family Support Groups are for family members and close friends who are supporting someone with schizophrenia, psychosis or serious mental illness.

Family Support Groups are available monthly in various regions across B.C. Contact a local BCSS educator or visit our event listings to find one near you.

Family Support Groups are led by trained facilitators or educators and are designed for adult loved ones who have friend or a family members living with mental illness. We provide guest speakers and updated information about mental illnesses and local resources. This helps family members, friends and other caregivers learn more about the current system, how to navigate it, and what resources are available for our loved ones.

BCSS uses the NAMI model of group support for families, we offer a safe, confidential setting, that is free of cost to participants.

BCSS Principles of Support

• We will see the individual first, not the illness.
• We recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers.
• We understand that mental illnesses are traumatic events.
• We aim for better coping skills.
• We find strength in sharing experiences.
• We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination.
• We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own.
• We forgive ourselves and reject guilt