MISSION
The mission of the Pathways SMI is to alleviate the suffering
caused by schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.

VISION
The Vision is to be a vibrant, innovative centre of support, education, awareness and advocacy for families and others affected by serious mental illness.

Families helping Families: Pathways is a pioneering family-support organization, providing help for those who have relatives with mental illness. We offer personal support and information, education, awareness, and advocacy.

Our work is based on a family peer-support model, where core activities such as the family support group, education course, and one-on-one support, are provided by trained family members – people who have “been through the mill” and can share their experience.

We cover all serious mental illnesses – schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. We serve the North Shore (North and West Vancouver), Bowen Island, and the Sea to Sky Corridor (Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton), and also handle calls from further afield and provide help as best we can. Our programs are open to people living beyond our primary geographic area, if at all practical. Many participants in our Family-to-Family education course, for example, come from elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. And no matter where a family member is located – another province or another country – if their loved one is in our geographic area, we will assist them.

Our main centre of operation is the Family Support Centre, located in Ambleside in West Vancouver. We also have a contact person in Squamish, for the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Pathways is incorporated under the BC Societies Act and is a registered charity. Our mission is to alleviate the suffering caused by schizophrenia and other serious mental illness.