On May 6 & 7 2025, some of the BCSCA Executive had the privilege of attending and representing school counsellors in BC at the Mental Health in Schools Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Education and Childcare. We are thankful for the opportunity to learn and connect alongside so many dedicated people from across BC. 

This 10‑minute online survey invites British Columbia School Counsellors to share their experiences around professional wellness—what helps them thrive, what barriers they face, and what additional supports they need.

Who is gathering the information?

This Provincial Teacher Inquiry Project (TIP) is facilitated and funded by the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF). The TIP Team consists of 12 School Counsellors from across BC.

Purpose

To identify current strengths and gaps in supports for school counsellor wellness across BC, including variations by school level and district setting.

Intended use of the data

The results may help to:

   -Highlight effective wellness supports and professional‑wellness practices;
   -Identify barriers and disparities across regions and school types;
   -Generate recommendations for new or expanded resources to support School Counsellor wellness (e.g., mentorship, clinical supervision, funding for self‑directed initiatives); and
   -Inform future advocacy or research efforts.

If direct quotes are needed for publications or presentations, individual consent will be requested.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Lexa Villette at lexavillette@gmail.com

Learning through Loss: Supporting Youth Workshop -  Presented by Ash Gilles:

A message from Ash Gilles PHD:
"Thank you so much again for having me and Learning Through Loss as part of your offerings. I really enjoyed my time with your members and the engagement was so heart warming to experience. Please pass along another big thank you to all the participants!"

Thank you to all those who attended the Learning through Loss workshop! It was a full hour of rich learning and sharing, and thank you to Ash Gilles for sharing her extensive knowledge and time with us!

Please click here for the slide deck from the Learning through Loss webinar.

Click here for a link to the live document created during the webinar for ideas and suggests of how to support youth through mourning.

If you have any lingering questions for Ash, please use this link to reach out.

Lastly, if you haven't yet, please complete the feedback form for Learning through Loss at the link below. 

Expressive Arts Therapy in the School Counselling Office

Shift: Changing Thought Patterns Through Creative Expression
BCSCA 60-Minute Webinar with Laurie Larkin-Boyle

Date: May 26th, 2:30pm

This one-hour experiential webinar explores how simple visual art practices can support a shift in limiting thought patterns and promote emotional regulation. Led by art therapist (and former school counsellor) Laurie Larkin-Boyle, the session will guide you through easy, hands-on creative exercises that help connect inner experience with outward expression.

Registration is now open for an upcoming webinar: Understanding and Addressing Youth Vaping in School Communities: A Webinar and Panel Discussion

Vaping in schools is an increasing concern as it may affect both individual health and the school climate. Join the BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and BC Children’s Health Promotion & Schools team for a free webinar for school professionals and health professionals working in school communities. Hear from panelists Priscila Nabuco, Art Steinmann and Dr. Laura Struik to explore the effects of vaping on health and learning, the role of schools in vaping prevention, and how to support students and address vaping that may be happening in schools.

When:  May 21, 2025 12:00-1:00

Dear School Counsellors,

We are pleased to share an important opportunity for you to participate in a virtual session hosted by the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY), focused on the impact of the toxic drug crisis on children, youth, and families. Please review the Orientation Package to learn more about the background and outcomes of earlier sessions run by the RCY.

These sessions will take place on Zoom:

Thursday, May 15, 9:00AM - 12:30PM
            -Register
Wednesday, May 28, 9:00AM - 12:30PM
            -Register

Both sessions will cover the same content:

            -Offer a concise orientation to the work done to date by the RCY;
            -Share key themes and the ten initiatives that have emerged;
            -Provide opportunities for participants to contribute their insights and ideas; and
            -Expand the network of committed individuals working collaboratively on this critical issue.

If you plan to attend a session, could you please email BCSCA.Advocacy@gmail.com

Sincerely,

William Nicholls-Allison, MA, CCC, RCC
Vice President - Advocacy, BC School Counsellors Association

Elementary School Counsellors, have you seen this new document for parents and caregivers?

The All About Early Literacy document discusses how parents and caregivers can support and foster skills at home. Another resource on your radar for kiddos and families needing support. 

Families Change has a variety of supports and resources available to families dealing with separation and divorce.

Their website includes resources for parents and caregivers, with topics covering finances, conflict, and caring for yourself, supports for teens, and soon-to-come resources for kids. 

Click the link below to check out this resource!

Members across BC grieve alongside the Filipino community after the tragic events at the Lapu Lapu Day celebrations. We mourn the lives lost too soon, the lives forever changed, and we are here to support students and families in schools as we recover together. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, please find resources here and here.

Our hearts are with you.

All current School-Based Health Hub providers are invited to contribute to a crucial effort to build a template to strengthen sustainability of current health-hubs and spread this innovative and impactful approach to future communities! This focus group will provide you a unique opportunity to tell us what support, resources, or advocacy may strengthen the sustainability of your health-hub. 
Click here to learn more

All current School-Based Health Hub providers are invited to contribute to a crucial effort to build a template to strengthen sustainability of current health-hubs and spread this innovative and impactful approach to future communities! This focus group will provide you a unique opportunity to tell us what support, resources, or advocacy may strengthen the sustainability of your health-hub. 
Click here to learn more

McCreary Centre Society is a charity committed to improving the health of BC youth through research, evaluation, and youth engagement projects. For more information, email mccreary@mcs.bc.ca.

We are excited to share the following updates on McCreary reports, projects, and youth engagement opportunities:

         -2025 Youth-led survey on vaping and nicotine pouches
         -Youth Transitioning Out of Care (YTOC) Study
         -Next Steps workshops: Engaging youth in the 2023 BC AHS findings

THE LATEST REPORTS:

Just released: Blunt Talk III: Cannabis use among BC youth aged 12–18 is the first to look at youth cannabis use using BC AHS data since legalization for adults in 2018. The report can be found at mcs.bc.ca/pdf/blunt_talk_iii.pdf.

Upcoming: the following reports will be released in the coming months:

          -From loot boxes to lottery tickets: Gaming and gambling among BC youth aged 12-18
          -Raven’s Children VI: A profile of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth health in BC
          -Ta Saantii III: A profile of Métis youth health in BC
          -Supports in the Spotlight II: Supporting BC youth in and from government care

Want to stay updated on the latest McCreary reports and projects?

For more information about these updates and to join the Community Mailing List, email mccreary@mcs.bc.ca.
Learn more about the research and studies here

Do you practice mindfulness with your students and want to make your practice more inclusive? Check out this podcast episode with Sue Hutton and Jan Wozniak. 

Have you joined the "BCSCA Members Only" Facebook page or followed "@bcschoolcounsellors" on Instagram yet?

Make sure to join/follow our social media pages for updates, reminders, and opportunities to connect with colleagues! 
Learn More...

The BCSCA is looking to build relationships with post-secondary institutions and students across BC. The purpose of the “BCSCA Post-Secondary Student Engagement Program” is to provide information and inspiration to students in Bachelor’s Degree Education programs and Master’s Degree Counselling programs. If you have any existing connections with the following institutions, we would greatly appreciate your help! Please email William Nicholls-Allison at BCSCA.Advocacy@gmail.com.

Do you have any connections at these universities?

Gonzaga University (Master’s Degree Counselling program)
Simon Fraser University (Bachelor of Education & Counselling programs)
Trinity Western University (Education & Counselling programs)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (Education program)
University of the Fraser Valley (Education program)
University of Northern British Columbia (Education & Counselling programs)
University of Victoria (Education & Counselling programs)
Vancouver Island University (Education program)

The Spring/Summer 2025 edition of BC Counsellor Magazine is now live!

This edition features three articles focused on how School Counsellors can support in suicide prevention. The authors featured in this edition are Opal Virgo and Paul Singh; The Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Child and Youth Mental Health Policy Team; and Dr. Dan Cox PhD.

Twice a year, the BC School Counsellors' Association publishes an issue of BC Counsellor magazine. Click this link to visit the issue library and read past issues of the magazine.

We are always looking for ideas and contributors. If you enjoy writing and have an idea for an article you would be willing to share with colleagues in BC and beyond, then please email publications chair, Lexa Villette (bcsca.publicationschair@gmail.com), and see the attached author guidelines for more information.

The deadline for submissions to the Fall 2025 edition is July 31st.

Click the link bellow to read the Writer Submission Guidelines