 | April 2019
Substance Use Snapshot
School and Community Connections
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| Adolescence can be a challenging time for teens and parents. All SD 61 schools are staffed with trained school counsellors and school based teams to connect with, and support students from K-12.
Students, parents, and staff can be equipped by having an understanding and awareness of the available resources within our schools and community to access for individual and family support.
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DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT NETWORK?
It is important to have someone who listens to you. Someone who takes in information and will listen to any problems you have to talk about. This may be a school counsellor, parent, family members, and close friends.
In your support network, you need someone who you can regularly chat to. Someone who checks in with you and is there to support you to help you find the best advice.
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QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK
Do you have someone who cares for you and loves you for who you are?
Do you have someone who can help to motivate you and keep you going when things get tough? Someone who is there to support and encourage you?
Do you have someone who you feel you can relax and unwind with, as well as encourages you to have fun and get active?
Do you have someone in your network who watches out for you? Someone who you can trust and rely upon?
Someone who can help you to problem solve? (@BELIEVEPHQ)
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HOW TO BUILD A SUPPORT NETWORK!
Everyone needs help as they grow from being a child to an adult and it‘s OK to ask for help! Sometimes that help can come from your peers but it is also important to have a few adults in your support network.
Think about any adults who are important to you and you trust. These may be adults in your family, adults at school and adults in the community (coach, dance teacher etc)
Write down those adults' names and a sentence about why you picked them and a sentence about how they can help you.
Talk to or send a note to each of the adults and let them know that you would like them to be in your support network and that you may ask them for help from time to time.
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If you are feeling suicidal, call 911 immediately
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It can feel overwhelming if you think you are experiencing a mental health concern. The first and most important thing you can do is talk to an adult in your support network. If you have not identified your support network it is important to talk to an adult you trust (school counsellor, parents, teacher, coach) about what you’ve been experiencing, how you’ve been feeling, and that you would like to talk to your doctor.
Your family doctor or pediatrician will be able help you figure out what is going on and refer you to someone who specializes in mental health, if necessary. |
Don’t lose hope. Most common mental illnesses are very treatable.
For more information on asking your doctor about what best kind of help you need,
CHECK OUT THESE QUESTIONS TO ASK
For more information about kinds of treatments for a mental illness that are available and how to talk about them with your doctor
CHECK OUT
THIS.
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CRISIS TEXT LINE Free, 24/7 text-based support. Text TALK to 686868 to connect with a crisis
responder FOUNDRY VICTORIA YOUTH CLINICOffers a range of wellness services for young people ages 12-24, including physical and mental health care. 818 Douglas Street - 250-383-3552 BC 211 available 24/7 dial 211 VANCOUVER ISLAND CRISIS LINE available 24/7 call 1-888-494-3888 or text 250-800-3806 available from 6-10
pm WHERE TO CALL FOR HELP printable
brochure WHERE TO CALL FOR HELP printable poster
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Child and Youth Mental Health Walk in Clinic times: Tuesday 9 am to noon and Thursday noon to 3 pm If these times are not convenient you may call for an appointment Victoria 250-356-1123 Saanich 250-952-5073 Westshore 250-391-2223 Aboriginal Team 250-952-4073 (call for walk in clinic times)
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| - I am proud of you
- Thank you for sharing that with me
- Everything will be okay
- Would you like any extra support?
- Is there anything I can do for you?
- Can I help you in any way?
- I will help you to get through this
- I am always here for you
- I know that must have been hard for you
- I am here when you need me
- This feeling won‘t last forever
- What can I do to help?
- You have been really brave talking about this
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The Greater Victoria School District is committed to providing safe and healthy learning environments for all students. As part of our approach, we have been focusing on mental health and substance use topics to help us promote well-being in our schools.
Substance use is a complex topic that often highlights varied philosophies, myths, and a great deal of fear. The research shows us that early interventions, particularly around critical thinking and decision making, has an impact on delaying use in youth. As well, open dialogue with adults, intentionality around attachment, and a focus on the
| factors that contribute to substance use, as opposed to the actual substances, also prevent, delay and reduce substance use in our students.
Our goal is to create a more cohesive, systematized substance use plan focusing on social emotional learning, that includes our youth and schools, community partners, and families. We strive for a shared vision, common language and consistent messaging over time, in order to support positive youth culture and a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health.
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In B.C. the legal age for alcohol and cannabis consumption is 19 years old.
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