The North Shore Schizophrenia Society is here to help you cope - with support, information, counselling, education, advocacy and fellowship.

The NSSS consists of family members and friends of the mentally ill who know what others are going through, and can help by sharing their experience.

At the heart of our operation is the Family Support Centre: suite 205, 1865 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, open between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please call us at 604-926-0856 to arrange an appointment.  If you're not free during those hours, we'll meet with you when you can make it.  Residents of the Sea to Sky corridor can call the Centre at the above number or contact Sue, our contact person in Squamish, at 604-898-9372.

The Centre provides personal support and information on major mental illnesses - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders. We also provide a wide range of programs, plus education and information for schools and the general public. To find out more about these programs and our other activities, please explore this website.

VCH Review of Marek Kwapiszewski's Suicide Misses the Point

Vancouver Coastal's review of the death of Marek Kwapiszewski's death in June 2008 did not address the core problem of healthcare professionals requiring dangerousness before considering involuntary treatment. Under the Mental Health Act, a person may be treated without consent in order "to prevent the person's substantial mental or physical deterioration," which was clearly the situation in this case. See the Media Centre for the news release, background information, and media coverage.

Family-to-Family - Registration Open for Fall Session
The next session of the groundbreaking Family-to-Family education course will run from September 21 to December 7 in West Vancouver.  Families coping with any serious mental illness are encouraged to contact the Family Support Centre without delay.  Family-to-Family gives family members the information and practical techniques to become the best caregivers possible - for their ill relatives and themselves.  Click for more information.  The next session in the Sea to Sky corridor will begin late January 2011.

Awareness and Education in the Sea to Sky Corridor
The Community Foundation of Whistler is helping NSSS raise awareness and provide education for professionals, students, and the general public with a grant to support our activities in Whistler and Pemberton.  We have delivered new books on mental illness, family support, and related topics to both libraries and we have more planned for the coming year.  Contact Christine at
604-849-2252 for information on Sea to Sky events and activities.

North Shore Municipalities Help the Family Support Centre
Our thanks go out to the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and the District of West Vancouver for their generosity as we accept community grants from all three municipalities.  The support we receive from our local governments helps keep the Centre operating with all our programs and services offered free of charge.

Oh Canada!
July started with clouds and light rain and ended up being a lot of fun for us at the North Shore Canada Day Parade.  We took off our rain jackets and crossed our fingers as we started to march and while the sky remained grey, the rain stayed away.  Thousands of people lined the streets and everyone was in a cheerful mood.  Thanks to all the volunteers who came out to join us, handed out flyers, waved to the crowd and proudly carried our banner, as well as North Shore Mitsubishi who provided a new Outlander for us to drive in the parade.

Walking the World - Rain or Shine
The weather wasn't terrific for our 19th annual Walk the World for Schizophrenia on June 27, but that didn't stop our volunteers, the Mayor of North Vancouver, or the West Vancouver Adult Pops Band.  Members, families, supporters, and even a few dogs took to the Seawalk with signs, information handouts and balloons after the official launch by Mayor Richard Walton, and, of course, some festive tunes courtesy of the band.  Our thanks to everyone who braved the threatening weather to help raise awareness of serious mental illness, as well as The Cooperators, Ambleside Safeway and Dundarave IGA, who made donations in support of the Walk.  Next year will be our 20th Walk, so be prepared for something big!

First Parade of the Awareness Season
The sun came out just in time to make the weather perfect for the West Vancouver Community Day Parade on Saturday, June 5.  NSSS members and other volunteers waved to the crowds lining the streets while marching beside a shiny new Mitsubishi Eclipse, courtesy of North Shore Mitsubishi.  The West Vancouver parade marks the beginning of the summer awareness season, with Walk the World for Schizophrenia following on Sunday, June 27, and the North Shore Canada Day Parade on July 1.  Call the Family Support Centre at 604-926-0856 if you would like to join in.

Annual General Meeting
Activities over the past year were highlighted at the NSSS Annual General Meeting held on May 26, 2010.  Increased advocacy and outreach efforts as well as major support cases and the expansion of services into the Sea to Sky corridor were among the items covered by the President's Report.  Vice-President Janice Lilley was re-elected for a third two-year term, and Partnership Coordinator Cheryl Zipper was elected as a new board member.  President Herschel Hardin, Treasurer Halina Haboosheh, Secretary Janet Blue, and Fundraising Co-chair Byron Giraud will complete their current two-year terms in 2011.  Roses from Marguerite Hardin's garden were presented to Marti Sevier, who stepped down after completing her third two-year term on the board.

Circle of Strength 2010
Our second annual Circle of Strength fundraiser luncheon was held on Saturday, May 15 at the Holiday Inn, North Vancouver.  140 guests learned about the work of the Family Support Centre, some for the first time.  Master of Ceremonies Margaret Gallagher, from CBC Radio Vancouver, was a pleasure to hear speaking live.  A family member told her story and that of her son's struggle with schizophrenia, and NSSS President Herschel Hardin spoke about the history and future of the Centre. Thanks to event sponsor North Shore Credit Union and Parkgate Branch Manager Andrea Conn, who was the opening speaker for the second year.  Pledges and donations are still coming in from this very successful fundraising and awareness event!  Watch the Circle of Strength video here.

NSSS Requests Inquest into the Death of Ben Williams
The North Shore Schizophrenia Society, in a letter to the Chief Coroner of British Columbia, Diane Rothon, has asked for an inquest into the death of North Vancouver resident Ben Williams, who suffered from schizophrenia, and who collapsed in the street from a heart attack on December 22, 2009.  For details on the case, please read the letter to the chief coroner.

NSSS Calls for Case Review
One year after the death of her brother, Halina Haboosheh is speaking out about the case in the hope that it will help save lives.  NSSS submitted a letter to Vancouver Coastal Health Interim President and CEO Dr. David Ostrow with a detailed description of how the system failed Marek - a man who was obviously very ill and in need of treatment - and how the many attempts by his sister to get him help were brushed off.  Read the full text of the letter, NSSS news release, and related news stories in the Media Centre.  Update: VCHA will be presenting the results of their review in late July - check back for more news.

Family Support Groups
Family Support Groups meet on the third Wednesday of each month in West Vancouver and on the third Tuesday of the month in Squamish. For information and to confirm the next date call 604-926-0856 for the North Shore and 604-898-9372 for Squamish.

The Family Support Group provides an opportunity for those whose loved ones have a mental illness to share experiences and insights with each other. For details, see our Support groups page.
 

 If you wish to support the work of this website or the North Shore Schizophrenia Society's programs generally, you can now do so online, using the facilities of Canada Helps, the online donations agency for non-profit groups in Canada. It's the quick and easy way to help us continue to offer counselling, education and other support services. Click here to view our page on Canada Helps.