educational, clinical and behavioural psychology
Mental Health Resource Materials
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www.heretohelp.ca
Below you will find all the links for Here To Help, an excellent site for information on mental health issues and their treatment. Many of the brochures and information packets suggest using are found in the links below. This information DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE for working with a registered mental health professional, and you should always seek out the professional advice of a mental health professional when evaluating the seriousness of any mentaI health disorder.
HeretoHelp.bc.ca Website. The BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information website provides information and toolkits on mental health and substance use problems at www.HeretoHelp.bc.ca and this listing is only provided to you for your convenience. We recommend going directly to their site for the latest updates.
ADHD Resources
Links to the
most recent medication, assessment and treatment
guides from the American Association of
Paediatric Medicine:
Click HERE
to download the Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the Guide.
Click
HERE for the AACAP Practice Parameters for the Assessment
and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder
Click
HERE to view the ParentsMedGuide News Release on ADHD.
Managing Anxiety Disorders
2003 | 46 pages | Table of contents | Download PDF
How we cope with the symptoms of anxiety disorders on a daily basis plays a huge role in determining our current and future symptoms. When a person is informed and educated about their anxiety disorder(s), they are often more able to keep the symptoms in check and keep the interference due to excessive anxiety to a minimum.
This toolkit includes information about the characteristics of normal anxiety, the different types of anxiety disorders, effective treatment options, and basic self-care strategies that can help reduce symptoms of anxiety. Also included is information about other easy-to-access, high-quality resources.
The toolkit will be most helpful for individuals coping with an anxiety disorder or problems with anxiety. Family, friends, health professionals, students and anyone who wants to learn more about the most common type of mental health problem will also find this toolkit a helpful resource...[PDF]
Find out about ordering hard copies
Managing Depression
2003 | 32 pages | Table of contents | Interactive version | Download PDF
This toolkit contains resources and strategies important for the "self-management" of depression. Self-management means having basic understanding about your illness and then being able to apply it in your own situation. It's about working with your mental health professional to find the treatment that works best for you and then sticking with it. It's also about developing strategies for dealing with depression and its impact on your day-to-day life...[PDF]
This toolkit has been designed to be a good complement to the Mental Disorders Toolkit as well as the Anti-Depressant Skills Workbook (PDF) and Dealing with Depression teen workbook (PDF) developed by the Mental Health Evaluation and Community Consultation Unit at the University of British Columbia.
Find out about ordering hard copies
Managing Mental Disorders
2003 | 46 pages | Table of contents | Interactive version | Download PDF
This interactive toolkit will help people who already know that they have a mental disorders develop skills to manage their illness on their own. It has been designed to be helpful for an individual with any diagnosis, and to complement specific toolkits that have been developed for depression and anxiety disorders.
This toolkit, the first of a series of interactive guides, is here for you to help make sense of the information available about your disorder and about the various treatments and strategies for managing it; working with your doctor or other mental health professional to find a treatment that is as effective as possible; and learning your "early warning signs" and developing an "action plan" to avoid a relapse - that is, a return or worsening of symptoms leading to a repeat episode of the disorder... GO to interactive toolkit mini-site
Find out about ordering hard copies
Managing Problem Substance Use
2004 | 52 pages | Table of contents | Download PDF
Like the other toolkits in the series, this resource uses the best information from the research field to guide you - in a friendly, plain-language style - through the process of understanding more about the impacts of problem alcohol or drug use behaviour and treatments.
It also includes tips, strategies and quizzes on becoming more active in the recovery process. The workbook provides a number of sections from Considering Change or to Dealing with Slips or Dealing with High-Risk Situations, as well as six other chapters that speak to readers wherever they may be on their path to reducing or eliminating their problem alcohol or other drug use - or supporting someone else to do so...[PDF]
Supporting a Family Member
When a family member suffers from a mental illness, one of the most important things to do is to take the time to learn about the disorder. By educating yourself as much as you can about the mental or substance use disorder, you can take an active role in your family member’s recovery.
Family Toolkit | workbook
Learning how to cope with any ongoing illness is no easy task. Learning how to manage a mental illness and make the most out of life can be challenging. However, with information and the support of their family and friends, most people (children, youth and adults) can take an active role in managing the symptoms of their disorder and in living a fulfilling and productive life.
What Family and Friends can do to Help | fact sheet
In the days when people with mental disorders were sent straight to psychiatric hospitals, contact with family was often limited to a brief visit here and there. But with the shift towards a more balanced health care system, mental health care professionals are recognizing that support from friends and families is one of the best ways to help someone who is ill. Families can be members of the treatment team...[more]
Symptoms of Psychosis and What to Do About Them: A Guide for Family and Friends | fact sheet
Psychosis can be a very confusing and debilitating condition. Before you can better support them, it’s important to learn more about what psychosis is and looks like, so you know how to respond in a way that is helpful for you and your loved one...[more]
How to Help People Recovering from Psychosis: What Family and Friends Need to Know | fact sheet
With the support of family and friends, an individual can feel safe and encouraged. Here is a guide on the best ways to offer them support and assistance... [more]
Psychosis: For kids who might know people with psychosis | booklet
Understanding psychosis can be difficult for children, and especially scary if a loved one is living with this condition. This kid-friendly booklet guides young readers through causes and treatments in a clear and friendly way...[more]
For Kids: When Your Brother or Sister is Sick with Psychosis | fact sheet
When a sibling starts to act differently but displays no physical symptoms, understanding their sickness can be confusing. This guide explains the basics of psychosis to kids in order to help them support their brother or sister...[more]
For Teens: When Your Brother or Sister has Psychosis | fact sheet
This guide, specifically made for teen readers, goes over the basics of psychosis as experienced by a sibling, discussing everything from causes to methods of support...[more]
Family Peer Support Buddy Program | read more
The Family Peer Support Buddy program was developed in 2005 and piloted in three locations in BC in early 2006. The program matches volunteers with persons who are family members of persons with a serious and persistent mental illness. The volunteers, who are also family members of a person with a mental illness, provide peer listening and some information during a weekly phone call or visit...[more]
Visions Journal: Parenting | PDF
Parenting can be one of the most rewarding roles any of us have in life - and this is no different for people with mental disorders. This volume focuses mostly on parents with mental illness from a number of different points of view - the parents themselves, their children, child protection workers, and service providers in the mental health and addictions fields from the adult and child/youth services. The overall theme is one of supporting the whole family, nurturing strengths, and planning ahead for crises...[table of contents]
Answers to Your Questions About Getting Help for Children and Youth | PDF
Where do I start if I think my child is having difficulties? Where should parents look when searching for a mental health professional? What can I do while I'm waiting to see a specialist? When seeking mental health help for your child, it isn't always easy to find out what's available and where to go...[more]
For Children with Mental Health Concerns
Where do I start if I think my child is having difficulties?
A good place to begin is with your child's doctor. Many physical illnesses can mimic the symptoms of mental illness. A physical exam can help to rule out certain illnesses. Children who have brain disorders can be very difficult to diagnose because often the symptoms of the disorder in children are different from the symptoms experienced by adults. It is important that your child receive an accurate diagnosis, especially before considering medication.
You can help your child's doctor or specialist arrive at the right diagnosis by writing down:
· Things your child has difficulty with
· The times of the day that your child is affected the most
· Settings that are the most difficult
· Events or circumstances that led up to your child experiencing difficulty
· Things you have done when your child is having difficulty
Ask your school about psycho-educational testing to rule out any learning disability. There are also private agencies that provide psycho-educational testing. Check the Learning Disabilities website at www.ldav.ca/referrals.html for more information.
Where should parents look when searching for a mental health professional?
Mental health therapists and clinicians are available by contacting your local office of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Ask for the mental health intake worker. A listing of community offices can be found online at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health/pdf/services.pdf. Anyone can make this call—young people themselves, parents, guardians or others directly involved in the child's life. In addition to government services, families can also check the BC Psychological Association website for listings of registered psychologists at www.psychologists.bc.ca. These are user-pay services and may be covered by your extended health plan.
What can I do while I'm waiting to see a specialist?
Educate yourself. Search the library or Internet for information on child and youth mental health to gain as much information as possible. There are some good tips from books like The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene. Parents have indicated that his practical advice really helped them to learn how to minimize their children's emotional explosions. In addition, look for family support agencies such as the F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids' Mental Health that may be able to assist in answering any questions you may have and locating support groups for parents.
My child seems to need a lot of blood tests, is there any way to make this easier for him or her?
Getting a needle is not a fun experience for children. Ask the lab technician to use a butterfly needle on your child, as it seems to cause less discomfort for children. Also, there are creams available now that are applied to the skin that freezes the area and results in less discomfort when the blood is taken.
What are some things my child's school can to do to help while I am sorting out testing, services, etc. for my child?
You could request to have a meeting with your child's teacher(s) and other relevant school personnel to look at alterations that can be made to accommodate the difficult times that you are experiencing. These may include less or no homework, altered start and finish times for school, an alternate room or place your child can go if they are experiencing problems, and more breaks from work.
Where do I start seeking help for my child at school?
Contact your school's principal or your child's teacher and ask for the name and contact information of the counselor that services your school. Also, many school districts now have a school mental health liaison worker. Call the Student Support Services office in your school district to ask about these workers.
What does it mean if my child receives a special needs designation from the Ministry of Education?
A designation code means that a child is recognized as having special needs and entitles your child to extra funding and an Individual Education Plan to meet his or her unique needs at school.
What if my child needs to be hospitalized or requires more extensive intervention?
BC Children's Hospital is the only facility that offers in-patient psychiatric care for children under 12. Regional hospitals offer various youth psychiatric services. The Ministry of Children & Family Development, in partnership with some local school districts and Health Regions, offer day treatment programs. Check with your local Student Support Services office for availability and contact information, as a referral is needed to these programs.
How do I apply for a disability tax credit for my child?
The Disability Tax Credit is available to those who have an impairment in physical or mental functions that is severe and prolonged. There is a government form that your physician must complete for filing with your taxes. For more information, please visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits/disability-e.html.
Child and Youth Mental Health Services
Learn more about the mental health services offered by the Ministry of Children and Family Development at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health, or by contacting your local Child and Youth Mental Health Office, listed in the blue pages of your local telephone directory.
Helpful Resources and Support
Local Child and Youth Mental Health Offices of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Find your local office in the online directory at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health/pdf/services.pdf or in the blue pages of your local telephone directory. Check out the MCFD mental health site for more resource links at www.mdf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health/links.htm.
School Support. Contact your child's school and ask for the telephone number of the student support services.
Youth In BC. A youth oriented website that provides information and support to youth at www.youthinbc.com or through their 24-hour phoneline at 1-866-661-3311.
Early Psychosis Intervention Program. Aims to increase the understanding of psychosis, decrease stigma associated with having this disorder and provide direct treatment. Visit the website at www.psychosissucks.ca or call 604-538-4278.
The Crisis Centre. Provides British Columbia crisis line numbers and related links and resources at www.crisiscentre.bc.ca or 1-800-784-2433.
BC Mental Health Information Line. Puts free information about mental health and mental illness at your fingertips. Anyone can use it, 24 hours a day at 604-669-7600 or 1-800-661-2121.
HeretoHelp.bc.ca Website. The BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information website provides information and toolkits on mental health and substance use problems at www.HeretoHelp.bc.ca
BC NurseLine. Provides British Columbians with a 24-hour toll-free access to registered nurses to provide confidential health information and advice on the telephone at 604-215-4700 or toll free at 1-866-215-4700 and for the hearing impaired at 1-866-889-4700.
The Federation of Invisible Disabilities. Their popular Parent Reference and Resource Kit is available to order from www.fidsbc.com or by calling 1-800-549-1999.
Disability Tax Credit. A tax-free benefit is available for low and modest income families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged mental or physical impairment. Forms and information is available from www.cra-arc.gc.ca/benefits/disability-e.html or by calling 1-800-387-1193.
Other Parent Support Information
Autism Society of BC: www.autismbc.ca or 1-888-437-0880
Children and Adults With Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD): www.chadd.org or 604-233-4043
FAS/E Support Network of BC (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects support network): 604-589-1854
Society of Special Needs Adoptive Parents (SNAP): www.snap.bc.ca or 604-687-3114
Tourette Syndrome Foundation: www.tourette.ca or 604-732-3594
Parents Together (parents of troubled teens): 604-321-5621
Parent Support Services of BC (parents of children under 12): www.parentsupportbc.ca or 1-800-665-6880
Grief to Action (alcohol/drug problems): www.fromgrieftoaction.org or 604-454-1484
Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441
Learning Disabilities Association: www.ldac-taac.ca/chapters/bc-e.asp or 604-873-8139
Wellness Modules
2004–2005 | 4 pages | Each in HTML, regular PDF and photocopy-friendly PDF
A series of instructive worksheets on promoting good mental health and general well-being. Based on quality information from well-conducted research in these areas. Included are definitions of basic concepts, tips on how to manage mental health and well-being on a daily basis and links to other helpful resources. The purpose of this information is to help individuals and their families develop good mental health knowledge and skills so they can maximize quality of life and manage the normal ups and downs of life. These modules are relevant to all of us, even those of us who have not had any personal experience with mental disorders or substance use problems.
Each 4-page module is descriptive and interactive, describing key components of mental well-being such as the ability to cope with stress, manage moods, deal with negative thinking patterns, maintain positive relationships and self-esteem, incorporate exercise into daily life, connect with the supports you need, and follow good sleep and nutrition habits. Exercises, questions and quizzes help support your goal of better mental health.
Mental Health Matters | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Overview of mental health and its defining features. Describes how mental health is as important as our physical health, what it can affect, who is most at risk for poor mental health, the four dimensions of mental health and their relationship to each other, a quiz to check your mental wellness and other resources.
Stress and Well-Being | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Looks at signs and sources of stress, its negative and positive effects, its link with physical and mental health, coping strategies and a survey to help identify where the stress in your life comes from.
Social Support | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Provides information on how social support can enhance your life, how to give and receive it, and how to know when it's time to make changes to your support network. Includes tips on improving your social support network, as well as a quiz to help you measure the amount of support you are receiving from your family and friends.
Problem-Solving | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Outlines a step-by-step approach to solving difficult problems, including facing the problem, brainstorming and picking solutions, and checking up on the progress. The module also includes a step-by-step interactive worksheet, enabling the reader to create their own seven-step problem-solving plan.
Anger Management | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Discusses the positive and the negative outcomes of anger, encompassing topics such as the causes of anger, figuring out if anger is a problem, and anger management techniques.
Getting a Good Night's Sleep | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Almost half of us cut back on our sleep as a way of getting the most out of our days. As sleep problems can have a negative effect on our mental health by influencing our emotions, thoughts, behaviours and body sensations, this module provides tips on getting a good night's sleep, as well as a sleep skills diary to track the factors affecting your sleep.
Eating and Living Well | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Summarizes how forward thinking and positive body image can help in following a healthy diet and establishing an exercise regimen. The module provides tips in the form of small steps one can take to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Healthy Thinking | HTML | PDF | Photocopy-friendly PDF
Using the exciting method of identifying thinking traps, this module provides a step-by-step guide on revising unbalanced thoughts, conducting surveys and experiments to collect evidence, and reflecting on the outcomes of balanced thoughts. The module also includes an interactive worksheet, allowing the visitor to experience this method and print the results of in a few clicks of a mouse.
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Fact sheets in
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