June 17, 2021
Online Mental Health & Wellness Resources for Youth
With the continued wellness of our students in mind as we enter the summer months, our school counselor Mrs. Sasakura has helped us compile a handy list of mental health & wellness resources that students can access online or by phone. These resources are either self-help tools that they can use on their own or with a trusted family member, or ways to reach out to qualified people and programs for additional support.
Counselling & Crisis Services
–While school is in session students can reach Mrs. Sasakura during her office hours, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM via email (ssasakura@sd40.bc.ca), Google Chat/Google Meets, or MS Teams.
–For help outside of her hours, please call the Youth In BC Crisis Centre at 604-872-3311, or connect via chat at youthinbc.com.
–Students can also reach out to Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868 to reach a trained volunteer Crisis Responder 24/7.
—Foundry BC has recently begun a FREE drop-in online counselling program for youth and families–please call in to make an appointment at 1-833-308-6379!
—Youthspace.ca also offers an online crisis & emotional support chat every evening from 6 to 12 pm PST, 365 days a year. (They have also compiled their own list of COVID-19 info, distractions, coping tools, and more!)
–The Aboriginal Crisis Line operates in partnership between the First Nations Health Authority and the KUU-US Crisis Line Society. They provide a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in BC at 1-800-588-8717 for not only youth, but children, adults, and Elders as well.
—Trans Lifeline is a non-profit, volunteer-run hotline and crisis line staffed by transgender people for transgender people that can also connect trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. Reach them at 1-877-330-6366
Other Resources
–For parents, the Ministry of Education has recently put out a downloadable PDF entitled “Mental Well-Being Information and Resources”–it contains a plethora of information about ways to support children and caring adults during these times and also includes detailed lists of resources and supports for LGBTQIA2S+ youth, Indigenous families, and mental health resources in other languages.
—Stigma-Free Society Youth Wellness Toolkit
–For our LGBTQIA2S+ youth and those who love them, QMUNITY and Qchat.ca both offer lists of more specific resources for queer youth living in the lower mainlaind
–Here’s a list of apps, books, and links that can help with Mindfulness for Teens!
–Here’s an article that lists 15 Mindfulness and Relaxation Apps for Kids with Anxiety
—Cosmic Kids Yoga offers a healthy and mindful way for kids to get their bodies moving at home.
–If yoga isn’t your thing, you can also try out the Born to Move classes by Les Mills on YouTube
If there’s another great tool or resource that you think we’ve missed here, please feel free to email us at glenbrook@sd40.bc.ca with your suggestion!
