For youth (ages 12+) parenting changes a lot - getting parenting supports can help you navigate learning, behavior or mental health concerns.
Parenting Supports - BC (free) - self refer:
Foundry has many excellent workshops for parents – check back frequently as offerings change. Usually each season they offer an emotion focused family therapy workshop. https://foundrybc.ca/virtual/groups-workshops
Connect Parenting Programs: this evidence based, manualized 10-week program promotes social, emotional and behavioural adjustment and attachment security in children and youth between the ages of 8 and 18 years of age. Different versions of the program are available for use with parents, kinship and foster carers - British Columbia — Connect Attachment Program
Family connections (Canada wide - in English or French) - evidence-based 24-hour group program for people who are in a relationship with someone who has emotion dysregulation or related problems. It is provided free of charge to participants. Family Connections Program - The Sashbear Foundation
Online parentings supports - access online
Mental health foundations – excellent parenting videos based on emotion focused family therapy strategies. https://www.mentalhealthfoundations.ca/resources
Parenting programs for specific age groups for families facing challenges to better understand their situations and build skills that will have a positive outcome for everyone in the family; specific courses also available for co-parenting in divorce/separations - https://www.bccf.ca/program/online-parenting-programs/
School based supports: Once in school the publicly available supports for 1:1 consultation/therapy are available through the school system - Ask your school learning support team about these services.
Physiotherapy & occupational therapy: Sea to Sky Community services has physio and occupational therapy consultation services available through the the school district.
Speech and Language pathologist (SLP): available through the the school district.
Learning assessments: psychology assessments for learning disorders and cognitive assessments are available through the the school district.
Other community supports for your youth - self-refer
Counselling - click here for alll counselling resources
Foundry Sea to sky:
Youth hub has drop in, groups - free dedicated space for youth where they can connect with peers in a welcoming and safe space. Youth workers available. https://www.foundryseatosky.com/youth_hub_drop_in.html
Weekly walk in services - drop in counselling, peer support, youth outreach workers - https://www.foundryseatosky.com/walk_in.html
Squamish Nation Youth services - https://www.squamish.net/divisions/people-services/child-family-services/prevention-youth-services/
Key worker program: the key worker works with youth who could have been exposed to alcohol or drugs before they were born. Key workers will help you develop a support plan and help advocate for your child. https://www.sscs.ca/fasd-key-worker-program/
Dieticians: can call Health Link BC 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a dietician ; or can have your primary care provider refer to to the North Shore Chronic Disease Services (Sea to Sky residents also eligible) - https://www.vch.ca/en/location-service/nutritional-counselling-program-ns-chronic-disease-services - they have picky eating groups & 1:1 dietician advice for selective eaters.
Resources for specific diagnoses: to help you if concerned about a specific diagnosis and looking for more strategies & information
Concerns for anxiety?
Here to Help BC about supporting anxiety - https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/helping-your-anxious-child-or-teen
Anxiety Canada – May Anxiety Plan - self guided modules for learning about anxiety - https://maps.anxietycanada.com/courses/anxiety-plan-children-teens/
Healthy Minds BC: anxiety tools for public speaking, facing fears, suicide prevention, procrastination, text anxiety
Concerns for ADHD?
Rolling with ADHD – parenting strategies for children with ADHD, although really excellent strategies for all children, even if ADHD is not diagnosed - https://healthymindslearning.ca/rollingwith-adhd/ & specific modules for teens: https://healthymindslearning.ca/rolling-with-adhd-for-teens/
Concerns about your child not attending school?
Excellent webinar on school avoidance - https://keltymentalhealth.ca/collection/practical-strategies-school-professionals
Concerns about OCD?
About OCD: https://www.anxietycanada.com/disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/
Book guided therapy: “Talking Back to OCD - The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say No Way and Parents Say Way to Go” by John March - book that is a self-guided approach a family can take to OCD
Concerns for eating disorders?
Concerns for depression?
Online learning tool - a guide for parents nagivating a youth's depression - https://healthymindsbc.gov.bc.ca/course/parents-caregivers/
Concerns about self harm?
Concerns about substance use?
Concerns about suicide?
If not able to keep your child/youth safe- call 911 or 988 for support
About suicide in youth: https://keltymentalhealth.ca/suicide
Work with your youth or with their counsellor to create - Guide to safety plans: https://keltymentalhealth.ca/sites/default/files/resources/Adolescent%20Toolkit%20Provincial.pdf