Connect your family to mental wellness

Child and Youth Mental Health 

Are you concerned about your child’s mental health?  Studies show 1 in 7 children will experience a mental health issue.  Early intervention is the best way to help your child, and 80% of difficulties can be managed with proper intervention.  Sadly, only 1 in 5 children with mental health issues are seen by health care professionals.  The most common childhood mental health issues include anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD and ADD, and conduct disorders.

Mental Health

You may walk in to the Child and Youth Mental Health office, located at 302-2955 Jutland Road, on Tuesdays  from 9-12, and Thursdays  from 12 – 3.  A professional will sit down with you and discuss your concerns in an appointment that lasts approximately 1 hour.  They request that parents come alone for that first intake appointment.  You do not need to make an appointment.  If services are then recommended, they are covered by BC healthcare.  Their phone number is 250-356-1123.

ADHD – ADDitude – website /email with current researched information and strategies for parents and teachers of children with ADHD.

Mindshift App – CBT simple tools for use with older children, teens, adults.  Developed by MCFD, Anxiety Canada, CYMH, and other partners.

Nature Sketch – Sketching workshops  based on research by the Robert Bateman society, which help all children (but particularly those with mental health struggles) connect with nature and art.

BC Anxiety website – A site for children or parents to self-help with anxiety

Kelty Mental Health – A site for youth and parents to self-help with ADHD and anxiety

Helpful Hints for talking to your child with anxiety (Kelty Mental health website)

Contact numbers for support groups for Child and Youth Mental Health

Information about anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, and conduct disorders

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/the-difference-between-sensory-processing-issues-and-adhd – Information about the difference between ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and learning disorders.

Parenting Support

Confident Parents Thriving Children –  Confident Parents: Thriving Kids has two program streams to help parents support their children aged 3-12 to manage either anxiety or behaviour challenges. Behaviour challenges may include uncooperative or disruptive behaviour, aggression or defiance. Sometimes anxiety can look similar, but the behaviours only appear in certain situations – like getting ready for school or going to bed.

Strongest Families –  Strongest Families Institute is a not-for-profit corporation providing evidence-based services to children and families seeking help for mental health and other issues impacting health and well-being. We provide timely care to families by teaching skills through our unique distance coaching approach – supporting families over the phone and Internet in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Strongest Families provides family-centered care that is customized to their needs.  Our programs are designed to support children and youth from 3-17 years of age.

Girls and Boys Club of Greater Victoria  –  The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs across Canada is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.

Victoria Single Parent Resource Center –  Guided by a skilled and committed board, we fill the gaps in social services to create a foundation for personal and community growth. Our many varied programs are intended to provide education, support and experience to single parents and caregivers so that they can raise happier, healthier families.

Victoria Native Friendship Center – “To encourage and promote the well-being of Urban Aboriginal People, by strengthening individuals, family, and community.”

Beacon Community Services –  Children, Youth & Families:   Strong, healthy families help build the foundation of strong, healthy communities. Beacon Community Services is pleased to support families with a broad range of services and programs, across a variety of ages.   Counselling & Mental Health Services:  Whether you want to develop healthier relationships, strengthen life skills, improve your family dynamics, or move on from issues caused by trauma or grief….You don’t have to go through it alone.    Employment Services & Training Supports:   Since 1982, Beacon Community Services’ professional career advisors have helped people get the training they need and the jobs they want.

BC Friends Parent program – Since 2004 the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)has funded and led the FRIENDS program as a universal anxiety prevention effort in support of two provincial mental health plans in British Columbia.

Addiction service –  People with co-occurring disorders have both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. It is also referred to as dual diagnosis. These people require an integrated treatment plan that targets both illnesses at once.

Teen Addiction –   Teens who abuse drugs may have a greater risk of developing an addiction when they are adults.  It’s important to know the difference between drug abuse and addiction. Many teens experiment with drugs, but aren’t addicted.