Bipolar Primer and community resources. Where do I go from here?
Mood Disorders Association of BC: visit www.mdabc.net or call 604 873 0103 for resources and information on mood disorders and support groups. Locally, the Mental Health Family Resource Centre for BCSS offers a monthly support group for anyone who has a caring relationship with a loved one who suffers from any mental illness. Contact info below.
BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information: visit at www.heretohelp.bc.ca for the Depression Toolkit and MentalDisordersToolkit, fact sheets on depression, seasonal affective disorder, post partum depression and bipolar disorder, and personal stories about mood disorders. The toolkits and fact sheets are full of information, tips and self tests to help you understand depression and other disorders. Locally, Beyond the Blues Depression and Anxiety Screening is held in the Fall. Contact information below.
Canadian Mental Helath Association's BC Division: visit www.cmha.bc.ca or call 1 800 555 8222 (toll free in BC) for information and community resourceson mental health or any mental disorder.
Crisis Line: Crisis lines aren't only for people in crisis. You can call for information on local services or if you just need someone to talk to. If you are in distress, call 310 6789 (do not add 604, 778 or 250 before the number) 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. The crisis lines linked in through 310 6789 have received advance training in mental health issues and services by members of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
1-800-SUICIDE: If you are in distress or are worried about someone in distress who may hurt themselves, call 1-800-SUICIDE 24 (1 800 784 2433) hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. Locally, find out about ASIST (suiicide intervention program). Contact information below.
HealthLink BC: Call 811 or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca to access free, non emergency health information for anyone in your family, including mental health inforamtion. Through 811 you can also speak to a registered nurse about symptoms you're worried about, or a pharmacist about medication quyestions.
Online Support Groups: www.bcss.org and www and www.reachingfamiliesproject.org. These support groups are for people caring for a loved one who has or may have a mental illness. These groups welcome relatives and supporters. The online support groups are anonymous, private and available 24 hours a day.
Mental Health Edcuation: Locally, this is provided through my office a couple times a year. It is designed to assist family members learn more about mental illness in general, and provide coping strategies. This free 10 session program will begin in September 2012. Please contact me for further information and to register. See contact info below.
What is the aim of the Bulkley View? To promote a positive and hopeful outlook regarding mental health and social issues. To put people in touch with their community. To share ideas, education and coping strategies. To explore the potential for all community members to "live a beautiful life", no mater what our background, age, culture, or physical or mental health condition.
Contact me: Toby Coupe, Bulkley Valley Regional Coordinator, Family Resource Centre for the BC Schizophrenia Society, confidential voice mail 250 847 9779 or email bcssbv@telus.net.