Fact Sheets & Articles

BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG KIDS

Back to school can be tough. Here are some tips to help manage the stress.

ROUTINES: Going to school means getting into new routines with no more late nights or late mornings.

  • Find a set bed-time that lets your kids feel well-rested in the morning
  • Practice the back to school routine a few times before the first day (e.g., go to bed, get up, dress, eat breakfast, brush teeth, and be out the door by 8am)
  • Have your child help prepare what you can the night before (pick out clothes, pack healthy lunch your child likes, pack school bag, etc)
  • Talk to your child’s school and find out what the routines are. Help your child to understand what is expected – practice new or difficult skills at home before school starts

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES: Going back to school is easier for everyone if a child has something to look forward
to.

  • Purchasing school supplies or clothes with your child is a good way to help your son or daughter become more enthusiastic about starting a new school year. Check with your school to find out what your child will need this year
  • Try to help your child get excited about school in other ways (e.g., see friends they haven’t seen all summer, tell a favourite teacher about their summer vacation)
  • Talk to your child about the fun activities he or she will get to do and the new friends they will make

NEW PEOPLE & SITUATIONS: The new school year brings a new classroom setting, with a different teacher and
new classmates. When kids know what to expect things are less scary for them.

  • Introducing your child to one or more of his or her classmates ahead of time will ensure making friends is a little easier and less scary (your school may help you connect to other classmates)
  • Visit the school and the teacher with your child. Ask the teacher to explain the school day to your child, and if possible ask to be shown around the classroom
  • Give your child some ice-breakers that can be shared such as a healthy snack or activity (e.g., marbles or sidewalk chalk if your school allows them)
  • Find out if your child’s school has a buddy or mentor system

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY AND OTHER WORRIES: Kids can have real worries about starting school. Attending school may be the first time your child experiences clear pressure to do well.

  • Respond to signs of anxiety by talking to your child about school concerns
  • Make time to listen when kids want to talk - review your child’s worries one at a time and help them problem solve so they don’t become overwhelmed
  • Try not to add to your child’s pressures unnecessarily
  • Help your child to understand that no one is good at everything – both parents and kids do better at some things than others
  • Be involved with school related activities or events - praise your child for positive efforts even if you don’t see the results yet

GRADUAL ENTRY: This is a method parents often use when getting children used to a new day care but it can also work with children who are extremely fearful of school. You will need to talk about this idea with your child’s teacher to see if your school can accommodate this approach.

  • Examples of gradual entry include staying with your child for part or all of the first day or first few days. Then you gradually stay at school with your child a shorter and shorter amount of time
  • For some kids gradual entry may only take one or two days. For others it may take a couple of weeks. Let your child be the guide, as every child is different
  • Some children are happiest if mom or dad always stays while they hang up their jacket and put their bag away before leaving for the day
  • Tell your child in advance how long you will stay and then stick to your plan

BULLYING: Bullying at school is a serious problem and can, in extreme cases, result in injury or even death. If you suspect that your child is being bullied …

  • Reassure your child that you and the teacher will support him or her
  • Talk to the teacher or person in charge
  • Follow up on any action taken and remain involved in the decision making process. Check in often with your son or daughter about how things are going
  • Keep in mind children may be reluctant to talk due to fear of embarrassment or further harm
  • Sometimes problems with going back to school don’t go away on their own and may reflect a health problem. Talk to your family physician or health professional about any problems – especially if they are severe or do not resolve on their own after the first few weeks back.

Facts for Families series from American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/facts_for_families

BC Safe Schools & Communities Centre
http://www.bccssc.ca/ece

Resources for Families:
National Mental Health and Education Center
http://www.nasponline.org/families/index.aspx

 

Answers to your questions about getting answers 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.

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 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.

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 provincial 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.

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What can I do if I don’t seem to be getting anywhere?

Often it helps to bring together key people who can help put a care plan together and ensure all pieces come together. Here are some of the people who can help.

  • Social worker—can assist in coordinating other services like in-home support
  • Mental health clinician/therapist
  • Community team leader for mental health
  • Child/youth care worker
  • Student support services
  • Community services manager
  • Teachers
  • Advocate

Make a list or have someone help you to identify what your needs are before requesting a meeting.

Child and Youth Mental Health Services

When seeking mental health help for your child, it isn't always easy to find out what's available and where to go. Learning about the vast array of services can seem like an overwhelming task. Providing comprehensive care and support for a child often involves a number of professionals and services. To help you on your journey, we have provided a roadmap of the main sources of help for families.

Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)

Child and Youth Mental Health Services:

  • Psycho-educational testing
  • Cognitive behavior therapy
  • Other best practices therapies
  • Family therapy and education
  • Referral to day treatment programs
  • Social workers (case managers)
  • Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre
  • Community services (e.g., in-home support)

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.

School

Teachers:

  • Adapted or modified lesson plans
  • Seating alternatives
  • Test alternatives
  • Homework alternatives
  • Oral presentation alternatives
  • Silent reading alternatives

School Counsellor:

  • Referral to mental health services
  • Counselling
  • Assessment
  • Referral to student support services
  • Class or program placement assistance

Student Support Services:

  • Program placement
  • Assessment and psycho-educational testing
  • Referral to mental health services
  • Designation for funding
  • Assignment of support time

Doctors

General Practitioner:

  • Assessment
  • Medication
  • Order diagnostic tests
  • Referral to specialists
  • Blood workup
  • Monitoring
  • Referral to hospital in-patient units

Specialists (e.g., psychiatrists, pediatricians):

  • Assessment
  • Medication
  • Order diagnostic tests
  • Referral to other specialists
  • Blood workup

Psychologists:

  • Assessment
  • Therapy

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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 http://www.mcf.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  http://www.fidsbc.ca/ 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 http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/dsblty-eng.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):  http://www.fgta.ca/ 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

Developed by the FORCE Society for Kids' Mental Health. For more information please visit our website www.bckidsmentalhealth.org. Funding for this resource was made possible by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

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