MHRP SI provides services for people with mental illness, regardless of their diagnosis, and the people who care about them. Approximately two-thirds of the people that we serve have schizophrenia or psychosis or a loved one with schizophrenia or psychosis, one third a mood disorder (bipolar disorder or major depression) or a loved one that does.  We also provide service to people with anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and other disorders. 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 and strategies to connect with resources. We provide service to people who have a mental illness with or without a substance use issue (concurrent disorder or dual diagnosis).

Our Services Need Your Support!

We offer some of the most programs and services for people with mental illness in Victoria, as well as their families and loved ones. Without your committed support, no matter the amount or frequency, we wouldn't be able to provide the levels of services and programs that Victoria desperately needs. These services include one-on-one counselling and support, as well as group sessions open to the public, as well as workshops throughout the year. We offer these all free of charge.

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. Clients meet with their matched peer supporter once a week out in the community over a coffee or perhaps for a walk. 

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. This drop-in group is peer facilitated and meets every Thursday from 2pm-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.

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. 

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. 

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

WRAP is a 6-week psychoeducation workshop that is offered several times throughout the year. It is an evidence-based personal relapse prevention plan that you develop yourself in a group setting. In the WRAP workshop, participants make their own plan to maintain their wellness by learning from their relapses, recognizing early warning signs, developing coping strategies and even develop a crisis plan. Two trained facilitators facilitate this workshop. 

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. 

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.

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.

Creative Wednesdays

This online group is for people with lived and living experience of mental illness. Participants share how their creative practices influence their mental health recovery and showcase a particular piece. Group members then reflect back and discuss ways in which the creative piece inspires them in a supportive and safe space. This drop-in group is peer facilitated and meets every Wednesday from 11am-12:30pm on Zoom.

Hope and Recovery

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 online every Wednesday from 2:00pm-3:30pm on Zoom and in-person every Monday from 2:00pm-3:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

Family and Friends 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 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month from 5pm-6:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

People Respecting Intersectionality and Sexuality in Mental Health (PRISM)

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 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of the month from 5:30pm-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 3^rd Thursday of the month from 5pm-6:30pm at MHRP, 941 Kings Rd.

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