Check out this new mental health and well-being video series by clinical psychologist, Dr. Hayley Watson! She gives a powerful message and she has provided these free video resources for educators and families in BC and beyond.

COVID-19 Well-being Video Series

This video series provides families with practical tips and strategies for coping with the current COVID-19 crisis. There are tools for soothing emotional reactions, generating short and long-term well-being, staying focused and hopeful, and keeping kids entertained. These videos were created by Dr. Hayley Watson, a leading clinical psychologist with 15 years’ experience working with children and families, and the founder of Open Parachute – an online mental health curriculum program that is being used in schools globally.

1. 1. COVID-19 Well-being Tips for Parents
   2. COVID-19 Well-being Tips for Teens (Ages 13-18)
   3. COVID-19 Well-being Tips for Tweens (Ages 8-12)
   4. COVID-19 Well-being Tips for Kids (Ages 4-7)
   5. COVID-19 Well-being Tips for Educators

Support Your Child’s Learning, Keep Your Sanity and Preserve Relationships in the time of COVID19: Does this sound like a tall order? It is! Most parents right now and struggling to find ways to balance all the demands and various needs of their family. To get ideas for managing this monumental task, consider this opportunity being offered by Burnaby Family Life:

What to know about home learning: “Supporting your kids’ learning while keeping your sanity and preserving your relationship.”

When: May 7, 2020 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Burnaby Family Life – Weekly Expert Talks families “What to know about home learning: “Supporting your kids’ learning while keeping your sanity and preserving your relationship.”

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YVNDT7JbTL608poUzACZdg

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

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Webinar Speakers

Gayle Beavil (Community School Coordinator @Second Street Community School (and supporting Armstrong Elementary & Cariboo Hill Secondary))
Gayle Beavil, BEd, MA, is a Burnaby educator who has been an elementary teacher in Burnaby classrooms for 15 years, as well as been a Faculty Associate at Simon Fraser University, where she taught student teachers in the Professional Development Program for two years. For the past 13 years, Gayle has been a Community School Coordinator, working with community partners and school staffs to enrich the curriculum, support and strengthen families with responsive programs and services, as well as create and build community in Burnaby, through hosting groups, connecting folks and building understanding. One of Gayle’s passions and strongest beliefs is: “If the family is connected and happy, then the kids are more likely to be connected and happy — and connected and happy kids are more ready, and able to learn.”

This May 7th is National Child & Youth Mental Health Day! It’s an opportunity to explore ways we can enhance our thinking patterns, emotions, behaviours and relationships to strengthen our well-being. Helping kids have strong mental health also means looking after the mental health of the adults in their lives. Check out these local opportunities for kids and adults:

YOGA for children and youth (parents are invited too!) Join us online at 10 am – 10:30 am – Support for Anxious Feelings          2pm  – 2:30pm – Support for Depression Facilitator: Nicole Marcia, MA, C-IAYT, YACEP, TCTSY-F Founder & Director of Fine Balance Yoga, since 2004 Nicole’s taught therapeutic yoga classes and offered individual sessions to trauma survivors struggling with addiction, depression and anxiety, teaching them healthy self-regulation strategies to empower them to live connected and embodied lives. She also trains Yoga and health care professionals in the trauma-informed yoga theory and techniques required to support trauma survivors in their healing, long-term stability and recovery. https://www.finebalanceyoga.ca/

Learn to Draw Lulu – Cartooning class  for children, youth and families Join us online at:11:30am – 12:10pm. Graeme Partridge-David, Parent in Residence, Illustrator and creator of FamilySmart’s mascot, teaches us how to draw Lulu. Learn from Graeme how to begin the illustration process so that you can create your very own character. Kids this class is for you! All you will need is a pencil and paper.

A conversation for families led by Liz Kay  How to manage your mental health in tight quarters. Join us online at 1 pm – 1:45 pm Join us for a discussion on how to manage stress and anxiety while many of us are living in closer proximity to each other (or perhaps the opposite is true for you!).  We will be exploring managing personal anxiety, caring for others’ anxiety, creating balance, meaning and connection during stressful times. Liz Kay, MSW, RSW, RCC has been involved in the counselling field since 2008. She has extensive experience working with both youth and adults who struggle with substance use and other mental health concerns. As the former clinic head of the Provincial Youth Concurrent Disorders Program, she was supporting assessments, providing treatment and educating students and mental health professionals around the Province. Her clinical skills have been informed by her work in a variety of settings including residential treatment, outreach, non-profit agencies and provincial health. Liz continues to support youth and families impacted by substance use and mental health concerns through her private practice at Three Story Clinic and through her work at Heartwood concurrent disorders treatment program.