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Family Support Group |
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Every month, family members meet at the Family
Support Centre for the regular session of the
North Shore Family Support Group and in Squamish for the
regular session of the Sea to Sky Family Support
Group. For information on the North Shore support
group, please call 604-926-0856 or email info@northshoreschizophrenia.org.
For information on the Sea to Sky Family Support
Group, please contact Sue at 604-898-9372. Nothing is quite like the support of others who are dealing with the same problems on a day-to-day basis or who have been faced with similar challenges in the past. It’s why leading American psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey, in his book Surviving Schizophrenia, advises that “to survive schizophrenia, the single most important step which should be taken by families with a schizophrenic family member is to join a family support group.” |
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Participants hear from other family members about their experiences, recount what they are dealing with, exchange notes on how to cope, or just gather strength and comfort from being together with others who understand. The sharing of good news of ill relatives becoming better, through treatment and rehabilitation, is also an important part of these sessions. This gathering of family members lies at the heart of what a family self-help organization is about. |
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Although family members attending the support group are usually dealing with schizophrenia, many people with ill relatives suffering from
bipolar disorder, depression or another
serious mental illness also participate. The problems they face, as families dealing with an acutely ill relative, are similar. These families are welcome
to attend and they tell us they find the group helpful.
The BC Mood Disorders Association (MDA) has support groups
for those with the illness, though
family members are welcome as well. Our group is for
just family members. Family members concerned with mood disorders
such as depression and bipolar disorder, then have a choice of support group, depending on what they feel more comfortable with and what may be more useful to them. |
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