Our History

A Storied Past

Our pasts are important. They inform our present, and guide our future. Mental Health Recovery Partners – Central Island has a storied history with many twists and turns that give us deep roots in Nanaimo. From the need of a single family, to assisting thousands of families throughout the years, this is our story.

1987
1987

Support Group Formed

Doris Rumsby reached out to the Canadian Mental Health Association to see if there was support for family members shortly after her daughter was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. While there wasn’t a group, Doris took it upon herself to invite others into her home, and the genesis of MHRP was born.

1989
1989

BCSS Nanaimo Founded

The group of parents recognized the huge need in front of them. The group had continued to grow as new families joined, and they reached out to the BC Schizophrenia Society to form a new local branch in Nanaimo.

1990
1990

Housing

Recognizing the need for a future for their loved ones, members of the society purchased a local apartment building to house their loved ones suffering from mental illness. To ensure the future of the housing, a new society was spun off from the BCSS branch.


Friends of Schizophrenia continues today, offering housing in two separate locations in Nanaimo.

1998
1998

Society Registration

BCSS Nanaimo has continued to grow through the years, participating in local high schools, events, and growing connections with likeminded organizations. The next logical step is to obtain registered charity status from the CRA.

2019
2019

Name Change: MHRP Formed

To better serve our community, BCSS Nanaimo, along with Victoria and Campbell River jointly formed Mental Health Recovery Partners to ensure we could offer the best programs to our communities.

2024
2024

Programs Expand

With additional funding secured, MHRP CI expanded education programs and launched Nanaimo’s first Menthal Health Navigator position.

The Story Doesn’t End Here

Mental Health Recovery Partners continues to push into our community to ensure that there is hope and support for all. Through community education, caregiver community, peer support, advocacy and more, we are dreaming of a different future for all who wrestle with mental illness. We’d love to have your voice as part of our community, wherever you happen to be in the journey today.