The Sunshine Coast branch of the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) is here to provide support and information to families and friends of people living with serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression, schizo-affective disorder, and others.
The Sunshine Coast branch of BCSS supports and promotes the excellent education courses BCSS has developed. An example is the “Kids in Control” program for children with a family member with a mental illness. A generous grant from the Sunshine Coast Foundation to our branch allowed us to support BCSS to deliver this important program in the fall 2021. Our experienced volunteers have also facilitated the excellent BCSS family education course, “Strengthening Families Together” here on the Sunshine Coast. Beyond education, these courses help participants to recognize they are not alone, that others face similar challenges and that help and understanding are available.
Our ongoing support group allows people to ask questions or air concerns. A multi-media library offers a wide variety of information on different mental illnesses, effective communication and more. Our mandate includes public awareness and understanding and advocacy for better services and support for people suffering mental illnesses.
To learn more and connect with us, write to [email protected]. To access a larger network of people, information, and organizations, go to the provincial BCSS website at bcss.org to view videos and read helpful articles, or phone 1-888-888-0029 or 604-270-7841.
If you are dealing with threatening, dangerous or violent emergencies anytime, call 9-1-1.
For a non-emergency crisis, Monday to Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., call 604-885-6101at the Sunshine Coast Mental Health and Substance Use Services in Sechelt. For a non-emergency crisis on evenings and weekends, call 1-866-661-3311, the Crisis Distress Line in Vancouver, open 24 hours.
– Submitted by the board of directors, BCSS Sunshine Coast branch
