Programs and Services

Hope and support for all

Peer Support

Peer Support

This program provides up to 12 free 1:1 support meetings for individuals experiencing mental health concerns and is offered by our trained peer supporters who are people with lived and living experience. Meeting someone where they are at in their wellness journey can make a huge impact. Clients meet with their matched peer supporter once a week out in the community over a coffee or perhaps for a walk. Please call our office at 250-384-4225 to register for this program.

Transitional Discharge Model (TDM) Peer Support

The Transitional Discharge Model (TDM) of peer support is structured to deliver support to those who are currently admitted to the hospital due to mental health concerns. After connecting and meeting with peers while in the hospital, peer supporters continue to meet to provide support to their peers as they are discharged back into the community and continue to meet regularly for several months. TDM Peer Supporters are people who have a shared experience of coping with a mental health challenge, as well as experiences with previous psychiatric admissions. They use their experience to help support and promote hope with their peers.

Drop-In Peer Support (DIPS)

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.

Family Peer Support

This program provides up to 12 free 1:1 support meetings for individuals who have a family member experiencing mental health concerns. Family peer supporters are people that have experience with a family member living with mental health concerns. Clients will meet with their family peer supporter once a week out in the community over a coffee or perhaps for a walk. Please call our office at 250-384-4225 to register for this program.

Education

WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)

WRAP is an evidence-based personal relapse prevention plan that supports participants with developing their own personal wellness plan. In this workshop participants will learn about wellness tools and create action plans to put them into practice in their everyday life. Participants learn how to maintain their wellness by recognizing stressors and early warning signs and by developing coping strategies including having a crisis plan. This workshop is offered several times a year and is co-facilitated by two trained WRAP facilitators. To register, please call 250-384-4225 or email [email protected]

Family Recovery Journey

A free 6-week course for friends and family members of those experiencing mental health challenges that offers knowledge and skills to cope. There is a strong emphasis on psychosis and a new module that focuses on mood disorders. This program is offered four to six times a year depending on need and attendance and is facilitated by experienced staff members. Registration is required. To register please call our office at 250-384-4225 or email [email protected]

Youth Education Workshops

This mental health workshop is for youth designed by youth. We provide tangible tools for youth that can be used to support personal well-being and the mental health of those around them. The content of the workshop is accessible, evidence-based and informed by students with lived and living experience. We provide these workshops to address important topics pertaining to the mental health and well-being challenges that youth face and would be pleased to facilitate one at your school or organization if you are interested. Please call 250-384-4225 or email [email protected] to arrange a presentation or if you would like more information.

Partnership Presentations

A poignant presentation of their personal stories, by first person accounts from people with living experience and partners such as a mental health worker, counsellor or other professionals in the mental health field. We can adapt our presentations to the interests of your group. For example, a law class may want to learn more about the Mental Health Act or a mental health group may want to focus on psychosis. Please call 250-384-4225 or email [email protected] to arrange a presentation.

Support Groups

Creative Wednesdays

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 every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 11am-12:30pm on Zoom.  Please note that Creative Wednesdays will not be running on May 17th, 2023.  Check back for further updates about this program in the near future.  Click here to go to the online Zoom meeting.

Online Hope and Recovery Support Group

This online 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 every Wednesday from 2:00pm-3:30pm on Zoom. Click here to go to the online Zoom meeting.

In-Person Hope and Recovery Support Group

This in-person 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 every Monday from 2:00pm-3:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd. Registration is not required.

Family and Friends Support Group

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

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.

PRISM (People Respecting Intersectionality and Sexuality in Mental Health)

PRISM is an open and welcoming support and connection-based group that addresses the stigma associated with mental health challenges in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This group was developed and is facilitated by individuals that identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. This is a drop-in group and registration is not required. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 5:30pm-7:00pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

Counselling

1:1 Support Counselling

Offered to individuals who are struggling with their mental health and may need someone to talk to about their well-being or community resources. Our free one-hour long sessions will offer support, insight and coping techniques as well as strategies with the goal of getting our participants’ mental wellness back on track. Please call our office at 250-384-4225 to book an appointment.

Family Counselling

Offered to friends and family members of loved ones of individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges. They may attend counselling with or without the individual who is experiencing the mental health concerns for up to six sessions. We kindly ask clients to call our office at 250-384-4225 to book an appointment.

Additional Programs

Respite Program

Our respite program provides short-term care to give relief and support to primary, unpaid, family caregivers. We work with families affected by severe mental illness, regardless of their diagnosis, with or without substance use. Each family is unique and our respite services are designed to meet the specific needs for each family. We recognize that the needs of family caregivers are often different to the needs of the family member that they are supporting. We supplement and enhance the ability of the family to provide care in the home. Our goal is to increase the quality of life for our clients and strengthen the family in their recovery journey.

In the broadest sense, respite simply means a break or reprieve. The services we provide are flexible in terms of duration. Respite services may range from a one-off visit, to a few hours a day for a few weeks or a few months. We do not provide overnight service. The duration of service is determined through a consultation process involving the family caregivers, the family member and professionals from our agency. Please contact our office at 250-384-4225 to learn more about our respite program or to book a consultation.

Friendly Caller Program

Our volunteers are happy to participate in our friendly caller program. Members of the community seeking connection and support by way of a phone call can sign up to be on our friendly caller list. Each week a volunteer will give each registrant a call on a prearranged day and time. Call our office at 250-384-4225 or email [email protected] to sign up.

Memorial Fund

Mental Health Recovery Partners South Island provides support and investment to those living with mental illness in our community through the provision of funds. We assist individuals by providing up to $300 (once per lifetime) to assist with recovery-related expenses. Please call our office at 250-384-4225 or email [email protected] to find out more information and how to apply.

Volunteer at MHRP

Whether it’s for fundraising for a particular event or providing office support on a morning or afternoon, we always welcome new volunteers. Give us a call at 250-384-4225 or email [email protected] to discuss what is the right fit for you.