Reprinted from the The Ongoing Journey of Recovery: Recovery across the lifespan issue of Visions Journal, 2025, 20 (3), p. 40
Recovery Colleges
Recovery colleges are spaces to learn about mental health, gain recovery skills, and build social connections in a group learning space. Courses and workshops are free and may be offered in-person or online. The following programs provide courses or workshops based on the recovery college model.
- Recovery College YVR from Vancouver Coastal Health: recoverycollegeyvr.ca
- Kelty Dennehy Mental Health Resource Centre from CMHA North & West Vancouver: northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/programs-and-services/kelty-resource-centre
- Pathways to Wellness from CMHA Vernon: cmhavernon.ca/wellness-education-programs
- Discovery College from CMHA Kelowna: discoverycollegekelowna.com
CMHA Studios from CMHA Shuswap-Revelstoke Branch: shuswap-revelstoke.cmha.bc.ca/programs/clubhouse-program - Connections Wellness Centre from CMHA Northern BC: northernbc.cmha.ca/connections-wellness-centre (the Wellness Centre is located in Prince George)
Peer Support Groups from the Mood Disorders Association of BC
mdabc.net/resources/mdabc-support-groups
Free peer support groups online and in-person in Vancouver, Burnaby, Abbotsford, Victoria, and Vernon. Contact the group coordinator if you have any questions about a particular support group.
Family Connections
sashbear.org/family-connections
A free group course for family members and loved ones of someone who experiences emotional dysregulation, including people with borderline personality disorder. Loved ones can learn more about emotional dysregulation, learn skills to build relationships and communicate well, and take care of their own well-being. Courses are currently online and offered in English and French.
In the Know Events from FamilySmart
Online and in-person events on a specific topic related to child and youth mental health and substance use. These events give parents knowledge they need to understand mental health and substance use problems, navigate health systems, and support recovery. FamilySmart also offers Family Peer Support, which connects families from across BC to a peer supporter.
Family Support Groups from the BC Schizophrenia Society
bcss.org/events-programs/family-support-groups
Online and in-person support for families and loved ones of someone who experiences schizophrenia, psychosis, or a serious and persistent mental illness. Groups are located across BC.
