We acknowledge and thank the W̱SÁNEĆ people on whose traditional territory we live, learn, and teach. The W̱SÁNEĆ people have lived and worked on this land since time immemorial.
Expect Respect and A Safe Education (erase) is a Ministry of Education and Child Care website designed for students, parents and educators to access information and resources in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health and Substance Use, and School and Online Safety. Visit the erase site for a one-stop source of BC specific information.
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Family Smart offers a monthly learning series for parents called "In the Know." A calendar of the events can be found at https://familysmart.ca/monthly-events/. All online events are facilitated by FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Workers, and videos are available to watch anytime on Family Smart's website https://familysmart.ca/videos/.
May Events
ADHD - The Real Deal:
May 12 6:30pm - 8:00pm
May 13 12:00pm - 1:30pm
A Conversation for Families About Digital Wellbeing and Mental Health:
May 19 6:30pm - 8:00pm
May 20 6:30pm - 8:00pm
May 27 6:30pm - 8:00pm
June Events
Explosive Behaviour in Teens: Strategies to Empower Families
June 4 12:00pm - 1:30pm
June 10 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Beyond Behaviours: When Is It More? What It Looks Like at Ages 9 to 12
June 9 6:30pm - 8:00pm
July Events
Beyond Behaviours: When Is It More? What It Looks Like at Ages 13 to 18
July 22 6:30pm - 8:00pm
August Events
Working Together: Families and Schools
August 18 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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FamilySmart has a FREE workshop series called Help For The Hard Times. These workshops are for South Island families and caregivers whose child or youth has been a patient in a psychiatric unit or have had repeated hospital ER visits at Victoria General or Ledger House. These will be delivered every month and are facilitated by parents with lived experience and are hosted online.
Session 1: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 1)
Session 2: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 2)
Session 3: How to take care of yourself and your family after a crisis
Session 4: How to find the resources you need
For more information and registration: https://familysmart.ca/workshops/
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Parent Peer support is offered by Family Smart and provides one-on-one consultations with their Parent Peer Support Worker Lisa Tate for parent support and navigation. Here is a link to Lisa's calendar to book a time on an upcoming week. https://lisa-tate.youcanbook.me/
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Foundry Virtual Caregivers Support Group provides drop-in peer support for caregivers supporting youth with mental health or substance use challenges. You are welcome to turn your camera on, leave it off, stay silent and observe, use the chat feature, jump in and converse – participate at the level you are comfortable with. Groups run on Wednesdays bi-weekly from 7:00-8:30 PM. More info and registration here.
Next sessions:
June 3
June 17
July 1
July 15
July 29
August 12
August 26
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Art Exploration for Caregivers - Foundry
This virtual-led group will use art to experience mindfulness and self-care, while focusing on building community and exploring our values & personal identity. This group will support caregivers of youth ages 12-24 in gaining skills to explore their caregiving values and self-care in a safe and creative environment.
Thursdays 7pm - 8pm
May 7, 14, 21, 28
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Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention - This series of informational videos and resources aim to reduce stigma and build the capacity of parents and care providers to identify and respond to youth experiencing suicidal and self-harm behaviours. They were created by a team of expert child and youth psychiatrists and young adults and parents with lived experience.
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BC Children's Hospital and Healthy Minds Learning have created an 8-module self-paced online course for caregivers called "Rolling with ADHD." From their website: "Rolling with ADHD is 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 in-person program at BC Children’s Hospital, and includes what research show really works for kids and families living with ADHD."
For more info and to register, click here.
Multi-Language Mental Health Resources for Families | Kelty Mental Health BC Children’s Health Bridge and BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre are providing free, evidence-informed and culturally relevant mental health resources in multiple languages, to help promote mental health and reduce mental health challenges and inequities faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) families in BC.
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Boys and Girls Club is offering a series of online programs helping parents of teens, pre-teens, and children gain confidence, discover practical tips and resources, and find support from other parents.
Parents Together
Parents in the Know
Parenting Without Power Struggles
Helping Parents and Teens Grow Together
For more information visit BGCSVI and/or contact parentingprograms@bgcsvi.org, or 250-686-9122.
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The Foundry has launched a resource guide for parents or caregivers of a young person with a substance use disorder - Parents Like Us.
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Saanich Neighbourhood Place is offering in-person programs to support parents and youth. Contact Family@snplace.org for more information or visit the SNP website for other programs.
See parents/resources section for more information
Expect Respect and A Safe Education (erase) is a Ministry of Education and Child Care website designed for students, parents and educators to access information and resources in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health and Substance Use, and School and Online Safety. Visit the erase site for a one-stop source of BC specific information.
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Student Wellness Hub - This site collects resources and contact information for supports for youth around topics such as mental health, sexual health and substance use.
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OneLove - learning about healthy relationships. Videos, quizzes, and learning tools about what makes a healthy vs unhealthy relationship.
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YMIND The YMCA-YWCA Y Mind Groups are a free, weekly psychoeducational support group for teens 13-18 and young adults 18-30 experiencing stress, worries and anxiety. Participants learn healthy coping skills through mindfulness, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and Self-Compassion to navigate their anxiety, connect with other young people and receive support all in a safe and supportive community environment. The program is designed to provide tools and support to folks who experience mild to moderate anxiety and is funded by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions as an early intervention program.
There are two modes for this program - in-person and virtual. Find more information and register here, or contact Lana at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca
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Foundry Virtual Groups
Virtual Mindfulness 101
Take a break from the stress of life or your busy schedule and find a moment of peace with peers!
Thursdays from 4:00-4:30pm (drop-in whenever!)
Virtual Queer Cafe Group
Queer Cafe is a virtual-led social group for youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Any young person who identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ or is questioning can join virtually and take part in activities, crafts, workshops, games and more! This space will be a safe virtual space for youth to come together and ask questions, learn, and connect with other youth living in BC.
Ages 12-16
5pm-6pm FIRST and THIRD Wednesdays of each month (May 20, June 3 & 10, July 7 & 21, August 5 & 19)
Ages 17-24
6:30pm-7:30pm FIRST and THIRD Wednesdays of each month (May 20, June 3 & 10, July 7 & 21, August 5 & 19)
Info and Register Here for any Foundry Virtual Group
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2SLGBTQ+ Social at Saanich Commonwealth Place Youth Centre. A safe space to be yourself and connect with a youth leader and peers. Play games, make crafts, spend time outside and connect with our staff. Youth in Grade 6 - 11 are welcome. This is a free event, but registration is required. Register and more info here.
NEW 2SLGBTQia+ Art Social at Saanich Commonwealth Place Youth Centre. Join us for an after school art social. This program is for youth who identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or are allies. Bring your own art supplies or enjoy all the supplies our dedicated youth centre has to offer. Come to meet new friends and have a snack. Register and find more info here.
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Teen Lounge and Sport Drop-in at Greenglade Community Centre
Teen Lounge is designed to be a safe and inclusive atmosphere for local teens (11-16yrs) to meet, connect, and relax with friends. The space features pool, ping pong and arcade basketball tables, interactive video games, couches and tables for lounging.
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The Saanich Peninsula Youth Clinic is open every Thursday from 5:30-7:30PM. The clinic is an opportunity for youth aged 12-24 to meet with a doctor or counsellor for physical, mental or sexual health support. Services are 100% free and confidential. Located at 2A-2379 Bevan Avenue, Sidney. Call 250-656-4143, press 4, then 5. IG: @saanichpeninsulayouthclinic
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Foundry Victoria Youth Clinic and Foundry's virtual services offer drop-in and scheduled counselling and peer support, primary care, employment support and groups for young people aged 12-24 and their caregivers across B.C. No referrals are required and all services are free and confidential. If seeking access to physicians / nursing / counseling / outreach and peer support, call 250-383-3552. Booking for the day begins at 10:30 am by telephone. See social media for updates and changes, and check out the Foundry app to support virtual appointments. Their Pathfinder service can also help you find the right support or resource.
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See students resources section for more information.
*NEW* - Neurodiversity and Mental Health Resources for Educators - The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has launched a new suite of resources aimed at educators who are supporting children and youth who are neurodivergent and experiencing co-occurring mental health challenges.
Expect Respect and A Safe Education (erase) - Ministry of Education and Child Care website designed as a one-stop source for students, parents and educators to access information and resources in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health and Substance Use, and School and Online Safety.
OneLove - Teaching resources and training on how to enter into discussions with students about healthy vs unhealthy relationships.
Rolling with ADHD for Teachers - Learn strategies to use in your classroom to support students with ADHD in this accessible online resource
Promoting Student Well-being: The ABCs of Substance Use Education - This podcast from the ABCs of Youth Substance Use provides some great examples about ways that schools can "promote overall well-being and equip students with the confidence, knowledge, and skills they need to make decisions about the substances they'll encounter as they grow."
Learn Mental Health Literacy - This FREE online self-paced resource offered through UBC helps teachers learn about mental health and mental illness, and course resources can be used to support discussions in your classrooms.
ABCs of Youth Substance Use - Curated classroom resources about substance use, a professional learning community, and webinars and learning opportunities planned soon.
Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators (EASE)- EASE is a free self-paced professional development course designed to help educators in BC teach K–12 students effective everyday anxiety management skills There are three online courses available: Early Years, grades K–7 and grades 8–12.
Self Harm and Suicidality Resources - This series of informational videos and resources were specifically designed for B.C. educators with the aim to reduce stigma and build their capacity to identify and respond to youth experiencing suicidal and self-harm behaviours.
WellBeing BC - Created in part by funding from the BC Ministry of Education to support Social-Emotional Learning, Mental Health Literacy, and Trauma-Informed Approaches in schools.
CASEL - Monthly SEL webinars. Click here for upcoming offerings
Cultures Connecting - Addressing Race Relations in the 21st Century
Visit our monthly staff snapshots here
Canadian Centre for Child Protection - Ongoing training opportunities
Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative website - A wealth of video and text resources to help educators and schools understand "why trauma informed?" and guide the strengthening of TI practices.
See staff resources section for more information.
Please also visit the Saanich School District website to see Monthly Snapshots
