Guides
Common questions for some of our most popular topics.
Guides
Common questions for some of our most popular topics.
Here you'll find some common questions that families ask about mental health supports and services in BC for their child.
Ask a question:
Dr. Janet Mah shares parenting strategies and resources to help you manage your child's behavioural challenges.
A webinar for parents, caregivers and families about understanding how depression shows up in teens and ways of journeying with them through it.
A video series that shows effective strategies that can be used across home and school settings to better support students in developing the skills needed for social, emotional and behavioural well-being and thriving.
Join FamilySmart for a conversation with Senior Associates, Youth Substance Use Health Promotion, a Youth Addiction Counsellor and Parents to talk about the basics of substance use; from pre-experimentation to casual using.
A visualization video for parents and caregivers on how letting go (in three different ways) can make space in your life and help spread kindness to yourself and your family.
Listen to Maureen discuss the framework’s development in the video below. In this video, she talks about the role of schools in promoting mental well-being and preventing mental health challenges. She also explains the importance of the district’s collaboration with public health to create a common understanding of mental health terminology in the community.
This presentation is a facilitated discussion to help share some practical ways to move through the challenges of being a parent of a young person with substance use challenges.
Parenting with a different focus in mind about substance use and talking to youth about this difficult topic.
This video guides you through a body scan visualization exercise. It can teach you to soothe your body and mind; calming your emotions when you feel overwhelmed or stressed.
Taking a moment to slow your breathing can help to manage anxiety and calm feelings of stress. This guided breathing video helps you to observe and slow your breath.
This video guides you through a forest visualization exercise. It can help you to slow your breathing and ground your thoughts, calming you when you feel overwhelmed or stressed.
Webinar recording for parents & caregivers from the 'Selective Mutism & Reluctant Speakers: Practical Strategies' webinar. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (May 20, 2021).
Webinar recording for school professionals from the 'Selective Mutism & Reluctant Speakers: Practical Strategies' webinar. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (May 17, 2021).
Webinar recording for parents & caregivers from the ADHD Goes to School webinar. To see accompanying presentation slides, click here (Mar. 03, 2021).
Webinar recording for parents & caregivers from the 'Parenting a Child with ADHD' webinar. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Feb. 24, 2021).
Webinar recording for parents & caregivers from the ADHD Treatment in Children and Youth webinar. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Feb. 10, 2021).
Webinar recording for parents & caregivers from the 'ADHD in Children and Youth: The Basics' webinar (Feb. 03, 2021).
Webinar recording for high school professionals from the 'School Anxiety & Attendance Challenges' webinar. To see accompanying powerpoint slides, click here (Jan. 25, 2021),
Webinar recording for parents & caregivers from the 'Practical Self-Regulation Tools for Children with ADHD' webinar. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Jan. 25, 2021).
Webinar recording for elementary school professionals from the 'School Anxiety & Attendance Challenges' webinar. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Jan. 20, 2021).
This video, created for children, explains what anxiety is, examples of the physical and mental health effects it can bring, and how those effects can show up in children. The video shows children how they can manage and better cope with anxiety and those pesky anxious thoughts.
This presentation is for family members and patients prior to an ECT treatment decision, presented by Dr. Tyler Black, Emergency Psychiatry at BC Children's Hospital.
This Part 1 webinar recording for parents & caregivers provides a foundation for successful school attendance and enhanced family wellbeing. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Nov. 16, 2020).
This Part 2(b) webinar recording for parents & caregivers discusses how to develop a roadmap for successful school attendance based on your youth’s unique situation and needs. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Nov. 23, 2020)
This Part 2(a) webinar recording for parents & caregivers discusses how to develop a roadmap for successful school attendance based on your child’s unique situation and needs. To see the accompanying presentation slides, click here (Nov. 19, 2020).
Join facilitator BC Children's Hospital Dr. Tatiana Sotindjo for a 15-minute mindfulness session plus a 5 minute Q&A. However busy or hectic your day might be, this powerful session of mindfulness will aim to bring you a sense of calm and comfort.
Listen to Dr. Tatiana Sotindjo as she leads a mindfulness session for parents & caregivers where you'll learn how to nourish your capacity for wellness and resilience, manage your anxiety and feel calmer and more in control.
Staff wellbeing is a shared responsibility between employees and the school district that employs them. In this webinar we explored how we can improve the wellbeing of the adults in schools through individual, collaborative and systemic actions. Hear from schools districts from across BC.
This webinar created opportunities for dialogue about how we can move from reacting to reframing resistance to manifesting resilience. Together, we can plan for the next stage of our journey.
Staff wellbeing is a shared responsibility between employees and the school district that employs them. In this webinar we explored how we can improve the wellbeing of the adults in schools through individual, collaborative and systemic actions. Hear from districts across BC.
This TEDx Talk takes research and learning from several experts in the field of motivation and wellbeing and combines this with stories and examples to show why social connection and belonging is so essential to our health, happiness and success.
Professional Learning Webinar for Alexis Creek and Anahim Lake Schools, SD 27 Staff Professional Development Day
For youth and families of youth who need to stay in hospital to get treatment for a mental health issue. This interactive video resource page will help you to get (quickly) informed about rights, options and opportunities and links to further resources.
This video for patients and families describes the mind-body connection that causes somatization.
These webinars provide parents and caregivers with information on how ADHD is diagnosed, evidence based treatment for ADHD, self-regulation tools for children with ADHD, tips on parenting a child with ADHD, and how to help a child with ADHD at school.
We created this video because it is helpful to know what to expect when starting a journey with us. This video will provide an overview of what we offer, how we can work together, and what you can expect!
Provides youth and young adults with general information about ADHD from someone with lived experiences.
Presentation by Cecilia Yeung, Child & Youth Mental Health Clinician, Vancouver Coastal Health, on ADHD and Behavioural Issues (in Cantonese).
Presentation in Cantonese by Dr. Sarina Kot, Psychologist, BC Children’s Hospital, on Supporting Children in Dealing with Anxiety & Stress.
Looking for treatment can be frustrating and confusing.The Help Finder Tool and System Navigation Videos can help you understand the mental health system and guide you through it.
Video and discussion guide featuring families from different cultural backgrounds and health professionals sharing their experiences supporting a child or youth with a mental health challenge.
Dr. Ashley Miller, Psychiatrist from the BC Children’s Mental Health Program, discusses what depression is, strategies & tips for talking to youth and suggested resources.
This video describes what families can expect when they meet with a health professional about their child’s mental health for the first time, and how to prepare themselves and their child for that first meeting.
This video describes British Columbia’s mental health system and four different professionals families can connect with if they are concerned about their child or youth's mental health.
This video describes British Columbia’s mental health system and four different professionals families can connect with if they are concerned about their child or youth's mental health.
Families and their children talk about their experiences with somatic symptoms, including their confusion in the beginning, coming to an understanding of their symptoms, and their work in getting better. The full video is also available in a 4 part video series.
Presentation by Joshua Chin, Child & Youth Mental Health Clinician, Vancouver Coastal Health, on Accessing Child & Youth Mental Health Services (in Cantonese).
Presentation by Gabriel Fung, Associate Therapist, on Looking Beyond the Anger in Youth (in Cantonese).
Presentation by Benjamin Wong, Clinical Counsellor, Richmond Addiction Services, on Screen Technology (in Mandarin).
Turn your everyday experiences into a source of strength with the easy-to-learn practices in this uplifting guide to post-traumatic growth.
Showing up means offering a quality of presence. And it’s simple to provide once you understand the four building blocks of a child’s healthy development which you'll learn in this book.
Taming Worry Dragons is a creative approach to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that is designed to help anxious children learn how to cope with their worries.
Simple mindfulness practices to help your child (ages 5-12) deal with anxiety, improve concentration, and handle difficult emotions.
Children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises.
This gently told story is for children who have witnessed any kind of violence, accidents, homicide, suicide, or natural disasters such as flood or fire. An afterword for parents and other caregivers offers suggestions for helping traumatized children.
Illy tells on people to get them into trouble. Poppy explains when it is important to tell on someone. A SayItFirst book for children in English, Ojibwe and Inuktut translation and syllabics.
Geoff wants to nap. Instead, he makes a healthy choice, and has fun outside with his children. A SayItFirst book for children in English translation, Ojibwe translation, and Ojibwe syllabics.
Find out how Keely sets a bedtime routine for Kieran to get a good night’s sleep. A SayItFirst book for children in English, Ojibwe and Inuktut translation and syllabics.
Beyond Behaviors describes behaviors as important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety. It offers professionals, educators and parents tools and techniques to reduce behavioral challenges and promote psychological resilience and satisfying, secure relationships.
From understanding childhood anxiety and OCD, to learning how to talk with an anxious child, to avoiding common traps and pitfalls, this book is full of detailed guidance and practical suggestions for parents and caregivers.
This book covers research-based parenting strategies for all families.
This books supports parents, caregivers and educators who want the best approach for raising kids in our digital world. It outlines short-term and potential long-term consequences of tech use.
A step-by-step guide for overcoming selective eating, food aversion, and feeding disorders.
This book offers parents and caregivers an effective, step-by-step guide to some of the most common struggles for kids aged 5–12. It provides a framework to explore new ways of responding to your child.
Looking for simple techniques to revamp your family's bedtime routine and wake up to a happy, healthy child? Discover the latest science-based sleep tips that will benefit your entire family. The Quest For Rest contains must-have tools for families struggling with the symptoms of kids who aren't getting a good night's sleep.
It was the perfect summer until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became Enemy Number One. Luckily, Dad has a surefire way to get rid of enemies -- Enemy Pie.
Although Louis knows a lot about outer space, the young boy finds himself sent to Principal Goodkid's office to attend Personal Space Camp after his teacher loses her patience with his behavior.
Peter the cow is having a BAD day. Peter's day just seems to get worse until his grandfather comes over and teaches him how to settle his mind and let go of his frustration through a simple and fun exercise.
This comic book is aimed at elementary school children to teach them how they can use strategies to self-regulate some of their own wayward, not quite so flexible thoughts and behaviours.
This 11-session program uses Behaviour Therapy to help your child become aware of his/her tics and the situations that make them worse. The program also includes relaxation techniques designed to help combat anxiety and stress, as well as relapse prevention strategies.
This book is full of strategies and tips to help parents guide the growth of their children's emotional intelligence.
This illustrated, interactive book guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat OCD.
Sam's Journey was developed with patients, families and mental health professionals from medical psychology and the integrative health team at BC Children's Hospital.
The Chef Fromage Cookbook is an interactive healthy eating resource that includes lessons on food and safety skills, nutrition, and a variety of recipes and activities to facilitate for youth.
The Chef Fromage Facilitator’s Manual was developed to help care providers facilitate the healthy eating lessons and activities for youth found in the Chef Fromage Cookbook.
This hard cover picture book teaches young children about emotions. It uses illustrations, text, and colour to describe happy, disappointed, angry, jealous and other feelings that kids experience.
Dr. Greene provides a new conceptual framework for understanding "explosive children" who are lacking some crucial skills and require a different approach to parenting.
In this book, the concepts, principles and practical advice offers parents and caregivers the ability to satisfy their children’s inborn need to find direction by turning towards a source of authority, contact and warmth.
Frankie has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In this illustrated book for kids, he shares the challenges and joys of living with FASD.
A comprehensive resource for parents by providing the knowledge, expert guidance and confidence to ensure that their children with ADHD get the good care they deserve.
An eight module series that covers practical tools and strategies for educators of children with ADHD. This series has been adapted from the long standing program at BC Children’s, and includes what research show really works for kids and school communities living with ADHD.
My Anxiety Plan (MAP) is a free resource for parents and caregivers to “coach” anxious children or teens using practical strategies and tools to manage mild to moderate anxiety.
WAY Anxiety is an online course and collection of resources designed for Indigenous youth and families to provide practical, culturally safe ways of caring for youth with mild to moderate anxiety.
MindShift® CBT uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.
Breathr provides easy and fun ways to practice mindfulness along with interesting facts about the benefits of mindfulness.
This online sleep diary can help your child track their sleeping habits for up to 2 weeks. You can also download the My Sleep Diary PDF.
This app is designed for children aged 8-12 and their parents to build healthy habits. Kids can set a goal, then choose fun daily challenges to work towards a reward!
This free app provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm; these include: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, and Breathe. Calm Harm uses the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
An eight module series that covers practical tools and strategies for caregivers of children with ADHD. This series has been adapted from the long standing program at BC Children’s, and includes what research show really works for kids and families living with ADHD.
A resource for educators teaching grades 4-7 that promotes healthy lifestyle behaviours and builds digital health literacy skills. Learning for Life provides students with competencies to use technology to support their health, to critically assess information provided through technology, and to balance technology usage with the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviours
TicHelper is an online, self-guided therapy program for families of children with chronic tic disorder and Tourette disorder. The 8-week program involves education about tics, skill-based lessons and daily practice.
Free web app that provides a fun and engaging way for children to learn about stress, understand how they react to it, and develop healthy strategies to cope with stress in their daily lives.
This resource helps children (4-9 years of age) develop social and emotional skills through relaxation, positive thinking and mindfulness in fun and age-appropriate ways.
The Family Toolkit was designed to assist families in caring for a family member with mental health or substance use challenges.
Get the latest on resources, news and upcoming events.
Through real stories, expertise, and practical tips, this podcast helps families promote their mental health and wellness, navigating important topics to meet you where you are in your journey.
BC Children's Hospital
Healthy Minds Centre, Building #85, Room P3-302, 3rd floor,
4555 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm
Local Phone: 604 875 2084
Toll-Free: 1 800 665 1822
keltycentre@cw.bc.ca
The BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is located on the unceded, traditional and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Copyright © Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
Call 911 or go to your local hospital’s emergency room if you or anyone else’s safety is at risk and immediate help is needed.
If you or someone you know is thinking about ending their own life, or needs someone to talk to about suicidal thoughts or ideas:
For mental health or substance use crisis support:
For commonly asked questions about supports and services in BC, explore our Ask Kelty Mental Health tool.
Social & emotional development
What is social & emotional development?
How can I support my child's social & emotional growth in the early years?
How do schools promote social & emotional learning?
How does social & emotional development support my child's well-being?
My child needs support with emotion regulation, what can I do?