The Catalyst

We were encouraged to see a large number of applicants for our working group! Four participants were selected based on experience and geography. A big thank you to all those who responded to our call out! 

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=867775&issueID=99574 to view the full article online.

In partnership with Family Smart for the upcoming May 7 National Child and Youth Mental Health Day, BCSCA invites you to create a one minute social media style video selfie to support the theme “I care about you’. 

These one minute videos are an opportunity to create conversations and connection between ourselves as School Counsellors and the caring adults parenting the children and youth of Canada or speaking directly to our young people. Your video will be important because now more than ever we want families to see the real life faces of the mental health professionals offering care for their children. These videos have the possibility to demonstrate our deep care, our professionalism, our approachability, and our desire to help. Feel free to be yourself and make a one minute video to support conversations and connection between caring adults and young people by sharing tips, words of wisdom, and words of encouragement to parents or kids showing “I care about you.” Videos are due to BCSCA or FamilySmart by Friday, March 14th, at victoria.keddis@familysmart.ca 

Visit https://may7icare.ca/ to view the full article online.

Crossroads Chronicles is an interactive resource and workshop series designed to empower students with the skills to navigate cultural adaptation, workplace inclusion, and social accountability.

Created for grades 6–12, this youth-driven resource fosters empathy, critical thinking, and communication skills — helping students navigate complex social dynamics while promoting inclusive and accountable school communities.

Why Crossroads Chronicles?

Empathy-Driven Learning: Features real-world, youth-centred narratives co-created by BC-based BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and educators.
Supports Student Well-Being: Addresses bullying, discrimination, and exclusion while fostering social-emotional resilience.
Curriculum-Aligned: Supports social-emotional learning goals and aligns with the BC curricula by engaging students in conversations on Indigenous-specific racism, gender identity, classism, and more.
Evidence-based Impact: Featured in Teacher Magazine, Crossroads has engaged with over 800 students and educators, engaging in meaningful dialogue and critical reflection.

Crossroads Workshops are peer-facilitated, cost-free, and designed to equip students with tools to address classroom dynamics, build healthier school environments, and enhance student well-being.

Book a Workshop Now!

Please share info about this locally produced resource and associated workshops with other colleagues and consider incorporating it into the BC School Counsellors Association's strategic planning and district's resource libraries!! 

We also invite you to: 

Browse this Teacher Brochure
Explore core themes addressed in the Crossroads storylines
Email deblekha@accesstomedia.org if you have any questions.

Together, we can empower students to lead change!!

Visit https://accesstomedia.org/programs/crossroads/ to view the full article online.

April 9, 2025, is the International Day of Pink! This day takes place on the second Wednesday of April every year and represents fighting for equality and acceptance with particular care to folks of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink and put an end to discrimination of all kinds. 

Click the link below to find out more! 

Visit https://www.dayofpink.org/en/home-2023 to view the full article online.

This year, the BCSCA executive and many members participated in the Push-Up Challenge, a free mental health and fitness challenge and fundraising effort focused on pushing for better mental health for all Canadians. 

The Push Up Challenge ran from Feb. 11-28, 2025, and the goal of 2000 push ups (or other fitness activity like squats, lunges or other modified movements) is symbolic of the 2000 lives lost to suicide each day world wide. The Push Up Challenge is supported through a free event app called Push for Better, as well as a website. 

Collectively, we raised $2,258 for the Canadian Mental Health Association! Thank you to those who participated! We had a great time working on our fitness and pushing for better!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=868911&issueID=99574 to view the full article online.

BCSCA Webinar Series

April 10th, 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Zoom (Registration is required)

Learning through Loss: Supporting Youth Workshop – 1 hour session: 

In response to the growing need for effective support for grieving youth, Learning Through Loss offers a concise yet impactful one-hour professional development workshop tailored for BCSCA School Counsellors. This session equips participants with essential tools and insights to confidently support students navigating grief. 

Learning outcomes – By the end of this session, you will be able to: 

1. Explain why it's important to create a culture of grief awareness and support within schools 
2. Define grief and mourning  
3. Recognize diverse forms of loss: expand awareness beyond bereavement to include various types of losses — such as family separation, relocation, or public tragedies — and their impact on youth 
4. Describe ways to talk with youth about grief and loss and approaches to engage with grieving students 
5. Outline strategies to assist students in coping with grief 
6. Describe LTL's services and experiential approach to grief and loss education 
7. Use the eight stages of grief to support youth experiencing grief and loss 

This workshop is designed to be accessible and informative.

By participating in this focused training, your team will be better equipped to create a compassionate school atmosphere where students feel understood and supported during challenging times. 

Biography of Presenter: 
Ash Gillies is a Process-Oriented Community Psychologist and Deep Democracy Facilitator. Gratefully living and working in Lekwungen Territory, Ash supports individuals and couples through transformation, as well as providing teaching methodologies for somatic healing and relationship facilitation in colleges and workshop settings. Having lost both her parents at a younger age, Ash has trained in a wide array of approaches to grief work and is a facilitator with Learning Through Loss where she can offer knowledge, support, and guidance to youth and families experiencing grief and loss.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Visit https://us06web.zoom. us/meeting/register/ EPQdbrLxTZmXxpmud1LsOA to view the full article online.

BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre recently hosted a webinar: 'Empowering Caregivers with Strategies to Support Children with Symptoms of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID),' presented by Dr. Jennifer Coelho and Dr. Katelynn Boerner. While the webinar was originally designed for a caregiver audience, it may also be of interest to school counsellors and other educators interested in disordered eating. The recording is now available at the link below. 

The webinar discusses:

-what ARFID is and when eating patterns may fit with ARFID
-the difference between ARFID and other eating disorders
-practical strategies for caregivers to support their child
-tips for managing eating concerns that are happening alongside physical symptoms like stomach pain or nausea

A recording of the webinar, a PDF copy of the presentation slides, and links to resources that were shared during the webinar are available here. Please feel free to share this recording with parents, caregivers, and colleagues who may find it helpful.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/pdf/ARFID_Webinar_Slides_Final_Version.pdf to view the full article online.

Have you joined the "BCSCA Members Only" Facebook page or followed "@bcschoolcounsellors" on Instagram yet?

Make sure to join/follow our social media pages for updates, reminders, and opportunities to connect with colleagues! 
Learn More...

Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041691956629342/ to view the full article online.

The BCSCA is trying to build relationships with post-secondary institutions and students across BC. The purpose of the “BCSCA Post-Secondary Student Engagement Program” is to provide information and inspiration to students in Bachelor’s Degree Education programs and Master’s Degree Counselling programs. If you have any existing connections with the following institutions, we would greatly appreciate your help! Please email William Nicholls-Allison at BCSCA.Advocacy@gmail.com.

Do you have any connections at these universities?

Gonzaga University (Master’s Degree Counselling program)
Simon Fraser University (Bachelor of Education & Counselling programs)
Thompson Rivers University (Education program)
Trinity Western University (Education & Counselling programs)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (Education program)
University of the Fraser Valley (Education program)
University of Northern British Columbia (Education & Counselling programs)
University of Victoria (Education & Counselling programs)
Vancouver Island University (Education program)

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=867773&issueID=99574 to view the full article online.

Workshop submissions will be live soon! 

We will be opening workshop submissions mid March. This year, our conference will be held at a high school in the Lower Mainland on October 24, 2025, and will include face to face workshops and virtual workshops using zoom. Keep your eyes out for upcoming communications via email and our social media.

Visit https://bcscaconference.ca/ to view the full article online.

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.

Visit https://www.bccounsellor-digital.com/bcot/0224_fall_winter_2024/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=2009416#articleId2009416 to view the full article online.

Twice a year, the BC School Counsellors' Association publishes an issue of BC Counsellor magazine. Click this link to visit the issue library and read past issues of the magazine.

We are always looking for ideas and contributors. If you enjoy writing and have an idea for an article you would be willing to share with colleagues in BC and beyond, then please email publications chair, Lexa Villette (bcsca.publicationschair@gmail.com), and see the attached author guidelines for more information.

The deadline for submissions to the Fall 2025 edition is July 31st.

Click the link bellow to read the Writer Submission Guidelines

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/pdf/Writer_Submission_Guidelines.pdf to view the full article online.