Mental Health Support Group Facilitator

The South Okanagan Similkameen Mental Wellness Society provides family support groups throughout the South Okanagan and Similkameen. Family Support Groups are for family members and close friends who are supporting a loved one with mental illness which may or may include a substance use disorder. 

At family support groups we provide guest speakers and updated information about mental illnesses and local resources. This helps family members, friends and other caregivers learn more about the current system, how to navigate it, and what resources are available for our loved ones. Support groups are also great for sharing experiences with others. 

We offer a safe, confidential setting that is free of cost to participants. Co-facilitators will facilitate support groups with the Family Support Worker. Co-facilitators will provide the perspective of lived/living experience of supporting a loved one or friend with mental illness.  

Requirements: 
- Criminal Record Check [Required]
- Lived experience supporting a loved one or close friend with mental 
  illness and or a substance use disorder
- Able to dedicate 1 - 1 1/2 hours to their group, weekly , bi-weekly, monthly 
  depending on the frequency of the group
- Able to commit to a minimum of one year as a facilitator
- Comfortable speaking openly about mental health and their experiences 
  with mental illness
- Accepting and supportive of a variety of opinions, experiences, and 
  identities
- Able to tolerate a wide spectrum of emotions and recovery phases
- Willing to redirect others for the purposes of keeping a safe space and/or 
   including everyone
- Able to model and encourage validation and encouragement