Mental Health Recovery Partners - South Island

Hope and support for all

How We Help

Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island provides programs and services for people with mental illness, with or without substance use, regardless of their diagnosis. We also offer a variety of services for family members and friends supporting their loved ones. We do this by offering a range of options including 1:1 peer support, group support, individual and family counselling, education, advocacy and policy development. Sometimes people do not have a diagnosis but are behaving in a way that leads others to believe that they have a mental illness. We can assist in this situation with support, information, navigation and strategies to connect with resources. We believe in hope and support for all. We are centrally located in Quadra Village and are open Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

Wellness Groups

Creative Wednesdays

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 11am-12:30pm

This online group is for people with lived and living experience of mental illness. People share how having a creative practice has influenced their mental health recovery. Group members also have the opportunity to share and discuss their creative works or ways they are inspired by others’ creativity, in a supportive and safe space. This drop-in group is peer facilitated and meets online every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 11am-12:30pm on Zoom.

Please note that the group will not be running on May 17th, 2023. Check back for further updates about this program in the near future.

Click the button below to go to the Zoom meeting.

Hope and Recovery Support Group

Mondays In-Person 2:00-3:30pm

Wednesdays Online 2:00-3:30pm

This group is for people with lived and living experience of mental illness. This is a safe space where people share their experiences, wisdom and hope to support each other with their mental health recovery. This drop-in group is peer facilitated and meets in-person every Monday from 2:00pm-3:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd. and online every Wednesday from 2:00pm-3:30pm on Zoom.

Click the button below to go to the Zoom meeting.

Family and Friends Support Group

2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 5:00-6:30 pm

This in-person group is for the family members or friends of a loved one experiencing mental health concerns.

This is a friendly drop-in group facilitated by an experienced family member and registration is not required. We meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 5pm-6:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Group

Every 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:00pm-6:30pm

This in-person group is for family members of an individual experiencing early psychosis. It runs in collaboration with the Island Health EPI Program and is facilitated by an Island Health clinician and a facilitator from our team.

This is a drop-in group and registration is not required. We meet every 3rd Thursday of the month from 5pm-6:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

Featured Support Groups

Drop-In Peer Support (DIPS)

We are pleased to announce that starting Thursday, March 2nd, 2023, we will be offering Drop-In Peer Support. This program provides emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience. Drop-In Peer Support is a warm and welcoming space to find connection, coffee, tea, a snack, and resources. It is open to anyone regardless of diagnosis, with or without substance use. This drop-in group is peer facilitated and meets every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

In-Person Hope and Recovery Support Group

We are pleased to announce that starting January 16th, 2023, we will once again be offering our in-person Hope and Recovery drop-in support group for people with lived and living experience of mental illness. This is a safe space where people share their experiences, wisdom and hope to support each other with their mental health recovery. This drop-in group is peer facilitated and meets every Monday from 2:00pm-3:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd. Registration is not required. Hope to see you there!

About PRISM:

PRISM (People Respecting Intersectionality and Sexuality in Mental Health) is an open and welcoming support and connection-based group addressing the stigma associated with mental health challenges in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The group is facilitated and developed by individuals that identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. PRISM is a drop-in group (no registration necessary) and takes place every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 5:30pm-7:00pm in person at MHRP.

Recent News

May 24th is Early Psychosis and Schizophrenia Awareness Day

Approximately 3% of people will experience psychosis at some point in their life. 1 in every 100 people will be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Awareness and understanding are key to providing support for those living with psychosis and schizophrenia.

In honour of Psychosis and Schizophrenia Awareness Day, May 24th, the Schizophrenia Society of Canada invites the public to view the short film ‘Follow My Brain’: https://www.followmybrain.com/film, which shares Cam Webster’s story from the onset through to recovery from Schizoaffective disorder.

Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island (MHRP SI) provides free and accessible services for individuals and families with mental health concerns, including an Early Psychosis Intervention Group for family members of individuals experiencing early Psychosis, every 3rd Thursday of the month from 5pm-6:30pm at 941 Kings Road.

Click here for more information about MHRP SI programs and services.

Naked Bungy Jump for Mental Health Fundraiser

Come out and jump naked for our 17th annual Naked Bungy Jump for mental health! Take the leap from WildPlay’s 150ft Bungy Bridge to help Mental Health Recovery Partners (MHRP) provide life-saving mental health programs on Vancouver Island. If you raise $200+ in donations you plunge for free! All event proceeds will be matched by an anonymous donor and donated to MHRP. Minimum age 18+ to be on site.

Since its inception 17 years ago, over 2,750 adults have taken part in the Naked Bungy Jump. Collectively, we have raised over $400,000 to support mental health and well-being for over 35,000 people in the Vancouver Island region. The awareness and funds generated by Naked Bungy Jump help to support and empower over 5,000 youth and adults in our communities directly impacted by mental health challenges and lessen the stigma of mental illness. Last year, this event raised $100,000 in registration fees, donations, and pledges. This March, we hope to repeat our success!

Click here for bungy donations and to view the campaign progress (link takes you to our CanadaHelps page)

Click here to sign up (link takes you to WildPlay’s Website)

MHRP South Island Announces New Executive Director

Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island is delighted to welcome incoming Executive Director, Janine Theobald.

“My heart is overflowing with joy and excitement as I join Mental Health Recovery Partners, whose values and goals are intrinsically aligned with my own.” said Janine, “As long-standing community leaders and innovators, this organization and its team members demonstrate the radical transformation individuals can experience when they are supported and understood in an equitable peer partnership. I look forward to expanding our community partnerships, and broadly establishing peer mental health and addictions support services as standard practice on our shared journey to wellness and recovery.”

Since 2013 Janine has worked in progressive leadership positions in the homelessness sector. She coordinated the Victoria Native Friendship Centre emergency weather shelter and managed its transition to a permanent seasonal shelter. In 2018, she joined the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness and most recently held the position of Director of Collaborative Engagement. There she championed peer-led and delivered programming, and the creation of pathways to peer leadership. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Victoria Multifaith Society since April 2016 and is newly elected to the Restorative Justice Victoria Board of Directors, where she is also a facilitator and mentor. Her lived experience, and background in Mental Health and Addictions, and Acute and Community Care during her 7 years with Island Health crystalized her belief that a person-centered approach is foundational to healing and enduring change.