BCSS Youth

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from BCSS Youth! We know that the holidays can be challenging for youth and their caregivers. We want to acknowledge and thank each of you for bringing hope where it’s needed most. Wishing you and your family a season filled with joy and compassion 🎄

12/08/2025

Here are some photos from our Kids in Control program in Seabird and Agassiz! 💫 This program is for kids aged 8–12 and helps them understand mental illness, connect with peers in similar situations, develop healthy coping strategies, and bust stigma.

Families have found immense value in the program, seeing kids gain confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Visit www.bcssyouth.org to learn more about our youth programs 💜

11/28/2025

Helping kids name and understand their feelings is the first step toward managing them.

Try this 'Feelings Fortune Teller' - a playful, hands-on activity for kids (and families!) to explore emotions, build empathy, and open up about what’s going on inside. After all, every feeling deserves to be understood. 💫

Download the "how to make" guide here: http://bcssyouth.org/fortuneteller

11/25/2025

Learning that your child is using substances can be scary and our fears can shape how we respond. Join FamilySmart for an important conversation on how parents and caregivers can show up when talking to their kids about substance use. The event will include a video presentation and a guided discussion facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.

🗓️ Wed, November 26, 2025
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM PST

To register, visit: https://familysmart.ca/event/now-what-a-beginning-conversation-to-support-families-when-our-kids-begin-experimenting-with-substances-4/

Learning that our kids are using substances can be scary. Our fears about substance use can affect how we react....

11/25/2025

Technology isn’t just a distraction; it can also be a powerful tool for mental health 🌿 Discover how it can boost wellbeing, support healthy habits, and encourage positive mental health practices: https://bcssyouth.org/news-stories/using-apps-for-self-care/

Have you found ways to use technology to improve your well-being? Share your thoughts below or email us at engagement@bcss.org👇

When it comes to mental health and self-care we talk a lot about putting down our devices and getting away from screens. This is important, and it’s also true that we can use technology as a tool to stay healthy! Have you tried out an app to help you keep on top of your self-care?...

11/07/2025

Are you an Indigenous youth aged 16–30? The South Island Indigenous Authority (SIIA) wants to hear from you 💬 They are currently working with six South Island Nations to help them resume jurisdiction over their Child and Family Service Laws.

Answer this survey to let them know about the services and supports you need. Your input will help shape programs that truly meet your priorities. As a thank-you, youth who complete the survey will receive a gift card!

If you’d like to connect more personally about your vision for services, you can reach out to Aly at alywaddell@siia.ca 💫

09/03/2025

STRONGER MINDS, BETTER DAYS... Learn more about back-to-school mental health for youth, in our most recent blog post: https://bcssyouth.org/news-stories/stronger-minds-better-days-back-to-school-mental-health-wellness/

08/12/2025

SAVE THE DATE: The BCSS 2025 Annual General Meeting and Education Session will be taking place Saturday, September 27 at 1pm at Sandman Hotel in Richmond, and streamed via Zoom. Our keynote speaker will be giving a thought-provoking presentation about improving care for people with severe mental illnesses across our province. Learn who our special guest will be... https://www.bcss.org/agm

*This event is supported by an educational grant from AbbVie.

08/07/2025

JOIN US! If you have a loved one living with schizophrenia or a severe and persistent mental illness, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

This month we invite youth to participate in our programs, where kids, tweens and teens will find helpful information, local resources, and a compassionate community that understands.

🔗 Learn more and find a session near you: www.bcss.org/events

07/22/2025

Join BCSS YOUTH for *Kids in Control Summer Camp* August 12-15 in Victoria.

This is a free four-day camp is designed for children aged 8-12 years old who have a loved one with a mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, etc.) and/or substance use challenges.

For more info or to register, call Mary Beth Hall at 236-335-0917 or email manager@bcssyouth.org

05/14/2025

05/07/2025

Supporting the mental health of children and youth is just as important as teaching life skills like problem-solving or building healthy relationships. Just as we encourage them to care for their physical health, we must also help them nurture their mental well-being from an early age 🧠

National Child and Youth Mental Health Day is a reminder that young people experience challenges too. It’s a call to listen, to create safe spaces, and to have open conversations about mental health. It’s about equipping them with knowledge about mental illness and giving them the tools they need to care for themselves and support others.

Together, we can make sure every young person knows it’s okay to talk about their feelings—and that asking for help is a sign of strength 🤝💜