Vancouver Island Mental health society

How does VIMHS make a difference in Nanaimo?

VIMHS provides housing and psychosocial rehabilitation for adults experiencing significant mental health concerns, including complex cognitive and behavioural challenges. The psychosocial rehabilitation model promotes recovery, community integration, and improved quality of life for people with a mental illness or mental health issues.

We operate five houses and provide stability, services, and support for up to 30 individuals at any given time. Gateway House, a 10 bed residence, provides 24 hour staffing for individuals recently released from psychiatric hospital and it is one of the only licensed facilities of its kind on Vancouver Island. Many of our Gateway residents are considered high risk (to themselves) and would otherwise have nowhere to go other than the street. Once Gateway residents have stabilized many choose to move into one of our semi-independent living houses. Last year, 25 individuals came through our program at Gateway. In April, we opened Boundary Crescent, a 41 unit supported independent living facility. The units provide homes for adults at risk of homelessness or those currently experiencing homelessness. VIMHS operates and manages Boundary in partnership with Haven Society and Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society (NAHS).

Our programs are person-centered and geared toward supporting the unique needs of the individual - we continually work to ensure the services and supports we provide are relevant, appropriate, and respectful. 

Additionally, VIMHS is committed to raising awareness about mental illness and we provide educational programs and workshops to our community. One of our workshops, Hearing Voices, has attendees simulate the experience of completing day to day tasks (like banking, shopping, or attending appointments) as a voice hearer.  Attendees wear headphones and ‘hear’ voices. Participants say they have much more compassion and empathy for individuals who may appear ‘different’ or ‘off’ and that they have gained a real insight into why people who hear voices may act strangely or self-medicate. Awareness and education are the first steps in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Watch the video below to find out more!

What are the immediate needs of VIMHS?

Our organization receives approximately 78% of the funding it requires to operate. It is up to us to raise the difference to provide programs and services to our residents. General donations (non-specified funding) mean that we can do things like run a community gardening program for residents, go on outings, help a resident complete their GED or go back to school, host more community education events, purchase needed equipment, and so on.