Resources and Links
Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental health problem among children and youth. Anxiety is different than stress and while some anxiety is necessary, even helpful, too much anxiety or anxiety that feels out of control can take a toll on a person's health and well-being.
Anxiety Canada works to reduce the barrier of anxiety and offers trusted resources and programs to help people better understand and manage anxiety.
Child Mind Institute offers resources and information around anxiety, what it is and how you can support your child and teen.
Kelty Mental Health provides parents and caregivers with a collection of resources to learn more about anxiety and how to support your child.
Apps can support recovery, but are not a replacement for professional help (please be aware of privacy limitations when using apps).
Calm provides strategies and exercises focusing on relaxation and stress reduction.
HeadSpace has interactive activities that can help you reflect on your needs, engage in skill building and set meaningful goals to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Depression
It's normal for kids to feel sad, act grumpy, or be in a bad mood some of the time. But when a bad mood or sadness lasts for weeks or longer, and when there are other changes in a child's behavior, it might be depression.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority offers a comprehensive webpage regarding depression in children and teens.
Children, Youth, and Depression The Canadian Mental Health Association shares information on what depression looks like in children and youth and what can be done about it.
Depression in Children and Teens This pediatrician-run website provides information regarding recognizing depression, types of depression, ways you can support your child, and addressing suicidal thoughts.
Parent's Guide to Teen Depression The nonprofit group HelpGuide provides information on recognizing and supporting depression in teens.
Apps can support recovery, but are not a replacement for professional help (please be aware of privacy limitations when using apps).
MoodTools can help you reduce depression and improve your negative moods. It's available on Apple and Android.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice or a diet that's gone too far. They're serious, complex and potentially life-threatening mental illnesses characterized by disturbances in behaviour, thoughts and attitudes to food, eating, and body weight or shape. While eating disorders are serious and can have life-threatening complications, they are also treatable illnesses.
National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) This website provides information, resources, referrals and support (including a toll free helpline) to Canadians affected by eating disorders.
BridgePoint Centre for Eating Disorder Recovery is located in Saskatchewan and access to programs and supports is funded through the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
When to Worry About an Eating Disorder This article covers the basics: the signs to look for, how to prevent eating disorders, and treating eating disorders.
Grief and Loss
Children react to grief and loss differently than adults do.
- Babies and toddlers don't understand the concept of death but they understand changes in their environment and will experience feelings of loss, abandonment and insecurity if a significant person is missing.
- Preschool age children usually see death as temporary and reversible, a belief reinforced by cartoon characters who die and come to life again.
- Children between five and twelve begin to think more like adults about death, but they still believe it will never happen to them or anyone they know.
- Teenagers understand that death is part of life, and may flip back and forth between younger age group type reactions and more adult reactions.
KidsHealth provides comprehensive information regarding reactions to grief and loss in different age groups.
Kidsgrief.ca helps parents and educators support children when someone in their life is dying or has died.
Children and Youth Grief Network shares a number of activities for children and youth dealing with grief and loss.
The Loss of a Pet Psych Central offers information and resources to support a child dealing with the loss of a pet.
Apps can support recovery, but are not a replacement for professional help (please be aware of privacy limitations when using apps).
Smiles and Tears supports children and young people aged 0 – 17yrs inclusive who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life; it's available on Apple.
Stress
We all experience stress on a daily basis. While most stress is good for us, too much can have negative effects on our well-being. Learning to manage and deal with stress is an important part of learning how to adapt to change and develop resiliency and healthy coping skills.
Tips to Help Support Your Child provides resources and strategies from Psychology Canada to help you support your child experiencing stress.
Tips to Help Support Your Teen Tips and strategies from Psychology Canada to help support your teen experiencing stress.
Coping With Stress provides information on what stress is and resources to help you cope.
KidsHealth provides parents with information and ways to help support their children.
Tips for Teaching Children about Stress Talking with your child about what it feels like when they are overwhelmed can help them better understand and deal with their stress.
Apps can support recovery, but are not a replacement for professional help (please be aware of privacy limitations when using apps).
Calm provides strategies and exercises focusing on relaxation and stress reduction.
HeadSpace has interactive activities that can help you reflect on your needs, engage in skill building and set meaningful goals to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Substance Use
The harms of substance use can range from mild (e.g., feeling hungover, being late for school/work) to severe (e.g., homelessness, disease). Treatment options for addiction include self-help, counselling, medications and withdrawal management.
Health Canada This page has resources and information for people who need help with substance use, including overdose prevention resources.
Saskatchewan Alcohol and Drug Support provides links to resources and information available in Saskatchewan
Substance Use Resources provides links to resources and information available with the PVSD attendance area, including fee-for-services options.
Families for Addiction Recovery is a national charity founded by parents of children who have struggled with addiction from their teens. Their goal is long term recovery for those with addiction and their families.
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: This website works to reduce substance abuse among adolescents by supporting families and engaging with teens.
Your Room: This website provides information about alcohol and a wide range of drugs, their effects, and withdrawal.
Cannabis and Mental Health: This website offers a 90-minute virtual session for youth outlining the impact of cannabis on mental health.
Apps can support recovery, but are not a replacement for professional help (please be aware of privacy limitations when using apps).
Sober Grid is available on Apple and Android, and combines peer support coaching, an online community, digital therapeutics, and a digital library of mental health resources to help individuals achieve long-term recovery.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide impacts people of all ages and backgrounds. It is important to get help if you or someone you know is going through a crisis or thinking about suicide.
Suicide Prevention provides advocacy, communication and education on suicide prevention and life promotion through providing resources, guidance and information.
Talk Suicide Canada connects to a crisis responder to get help without judgement.
Suicide Prevention The Government of Canada provides resources on prevention, risk factors and supports.
Hope For Wellness is a helpline that is available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada.
Apps can support recovery, but are not a replacement for professional help (please be aware of privacy limitations when using apps).
More Mental Health Resources:
Canadian Mental Health Association is a mental health organization that focuses on programs, resources and advocacy.
Saskatchewan 211 offers a database of of over 6, 000 community, social, non-clinical health and government services across the province.
Mental Health Literacy provides resources, information and strategies on a variety of mental health issues.
Kids Help Phone is a free, 24/7 e-mental health service offering confidential support to young people. The website is full of resources, supports and strategies to help kids and youth navigate mental health and life challenges.