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Counselling Corner
 Mental Health Commission of Canada: "This guide was developed to provide system leaders with key information to support their important role in mental health and life promotion. Mental health promotion, early identification related to mental health problems; and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Where the research literature in this area is incomplete, the authors drew on practice-based evidence and inputs from those with lived experience to arrive at recommendations that they hope will be helpful in school districts across Canada. Working together, with the best available information, school systems can help to realize the promise of school-based suicide prevention and life promotion efforts, truly making a difference in the lives and well-being of Canadian students."  "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. These evidence-informed resources were informed in collaboration with a B.C. psychiatrist who specializes in youth suicide and self-harm, and B.C. educators. 1. How to recognize non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation in students 2. How to engage with students 3. How to support a student returning to school after a mental health absence 4. Educator self-care" LINK: Resources for educators --- All these resources are part of a larger series produced by the Ministry of Children and Families and Dr. Tyler Black, which you can find below. LINK: Suicide prevention and self harm video series and resources  Kelty Mental Health at BC Children's Hospital also has resources to help chidlren and youth identify stressors, understand warning signs, and use tools to feel better. LINK: Kids' Version PDF LINK: Adolescents' Version PDF The Learning Curve
In the most recent edition of Canadian School Counsellor Magazine, the critical importance of School Counsellors in addressing the mental health crisis was highlighted. In addition, author Laura Mousseau from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) shares several resources for School Counsellors. LINK: School counsellors are on the front lines of the youth mental health crisis 
 "The Language Matters: An Introductory Guide for Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use resource is meant to help facilitate conversations, build common understandings, and support practice by defining and discussing key mental health and substance use terms and topics. This resource is designed for educators, administrators, school support staff and school community partners." LINK: Introducing "Language Matters!" webinar LINK: Download the PDF
Members Only
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BCSCA Conference Updates
 Registration is open for the 2024 BCSCA Conference, taking place October 24, 2024, at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, BC and online! The conference will be an awesome opportunity to connect with colleagues from all over the province, to further your professional development through inspiring workshops, to engage with exhibitors and sponsors, to make your voice heard at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Circles of Support, and to reconnect with yourself and your purpose at the retreat.  We wish to thank CIty U in Canada for being the 2024 BCSCA Conference's Silver Sponsor! "CityU is an innovative, not-for-profit University that changes our students’ lives for good by offering high-quality and relevant education to prepare students to graduate with the competitive skills needed to be successful in their career. We accomplish this by having all of our courses taught by practitioner scholar faculty who hold relevant graduate degrees, have extensive professional experience, industry expertise, exemplary teaching skills, and scholarly achievements." The British Columbia campus offers Master of Counselling and Master of Education School Counselling programs. If you have any questions about theri programs, contact Dr. Maria Stella at mariastella@cityu.edu.  We wish to thank University Canada West for being the 2024 BCSCA Conference's Bronze Sponsor! "UCW students come from more than 90 countries around the world and include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and visiting students who contribute to the diversity and richness of the University. Whether you are a recent high-school graduate, a college or university graduate or transfer student, or a working professional, you will find what you need here."  ChatterHigh "How Does ChatterHigh Foster Hope? By exposing students to a variety of career and post-secondary options, we help students engage in inquiry-based learning and develop vocational identity. Students begin to picture themselves following these paths and set goals to work towards a particular career. Small milestones built into the gamified platform build their sense of efficacy, and allow pathways to become clearer. There will always be obstacles in the way of our goals, and our Mindful Modules help students build the life skills to view obstacles as a challenge rather than a setback." --- Inquiry Adventures "Inquiry Adventures is a dynamic organization dedicated to enhancing social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental wellness through innovative hands-on products and interactive professional development workshops. Specializing in tools that foster emotional intelligence, teamwork, and communication skills, Inquiry Adventures offers a range of resources including our popular Thumballs & ULead Cards—fun and engaging activity balls and cards designed to spark conversation, promote self-reflection, and build interpersonal connections. In addition to their product line, Inquiry Adventures provides tailored professional development workshops for educators, counsellors, and team leaders. These workshops focus on equipping participants with practical strategies for integrating SEL and mental wellness into their environments, fostering a supportive culture, and enhancing overall well-being. Whether it’s through hands-on tools or comprehensive training workshops, Inquiry Adventures is committed to empowering individuals and communities to navigate the complexities of social emotional growth and development through positive interactions, empathy, insight, and resilience." --- Odin Books "For 30 years, ODIN BOOKS has provided the best in recommended resources to schools, school districts, mental health professionals, educators, and individuals. We stock books, puppets, posters, puzzles, sensory toys, games, tools, and products designed to improve lives. We've helped people build and add to their personal, public, and parent libraries throughout North America. We've happily connected the right book or product with the need expressed by our new and long-time customers. We have been building relationships to provide support and recommended resources for helping professionals, educators, and families impacted by mental health and disability." --- Russell Books "Russell Books Ltd. is a third generation, family-owned company founded in Montreal, in 1961. It began as a 300 square foot, one aisle, secondhand bookstore and gradually grew into the largest used, antiquarian, and new bookstore in town. Family has always been a central part of Russell Books, and we believe in creating a welcoming and open community space for everyone. The owners and staff passionately believe in the importance of books and literacy in the community. The store hosts events, holds author readings, and puts on school fairs throughout Victoria in order to bring the magic of books to as many people as possible. As Canada’s largest independent bookstore, Russell Books is proud to be a part of such a supportive and book loving city! We are grateful to be embedded in such a diverse community, and our staff and customers' love of reading and books inspires us, impacts our central values and approach to our role in Victoria." --- Second Step by Committee for Children "Second Step® social-emotional learning (SEL) programs empower preschoolers, teens, and all ages in between to build skills for success. Choose from a cohesive family of research-based programs that work together to provide SEL throughout students’ developmental stages, and in both classroom and out-of-school time settings. In addition, our professional development program for educators brings the benefits of SEL to your staff and school culture, so everyone can thrive." --- Thompson Rivers University "Since 1970, TRU has taken pride in providing an excellent education to every student who comes to us — from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, at various stages of the learning journey. We serve more than 25,000 students — on our campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, and via distance or online courses and programs through Open Learning. From traditional academics to trades, from certificates to graduate degrees, TRU offers over 140 on-campus programs and 60-plus Open Learning programs. Our students apply what they learn in co-op work terms, study abroad, undergraduate research, field schools and practicums, service learning and other opportunities — with guidance and mentorship by our accessible faculty. Research, creation and innovation thrive in our open, flexible learning environment. And so do our students." --- Universities Canada "Universities Canada is making the university journey easier! With increasing mobility among domestic students planning to attend university, Universities Canada is offering a new resource that provides a gateway to research programs, tuition, and admission details for Canada’s Universities. Built by and for Canada’s universities, you can count on UniversityStudy.ca for accurate, up-to-date, unbiased information. UniversityStudy.ca offers a comprehensive listing of scholarships available for Canadians and Canadian study programs based on need, merit, as well as support for those furthest from opportunity. A successful academic journey depends on more than gaining admission — students need a variety of supports to help guide them academically, financially, socially, and ensuring their health and well-being. University Study offers student-centered advice, tools, and resources to help them from application to graduation. Drop by for a demo of the new site!"
BC Counsellor Magazine
 The Fall/Winter 2024 edition of BC Counsellor Magazine is now live! This edition features three articles focused on how School Counsellors can address the mental health crisis through promotion and prevention approaches. The authors featured in this edition are Lisa Baylis; Shirley Giroux and Amar Sull; and Christine Schwartz, Jessica Tang, Jen Barican, and Charlotte Waddell. 
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