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

Did you know that the Language Matters! guide now comes in a family resource version? This resource is designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of school-age children (ages 5-11) and youth (ages 12-18) learn more about common language and concepts on mental health and substance use. 

Check it out in the link below! 

Vancouver Coastal Health hosts a plethora of resources on their website available for schools and educators. Check out their resources on physical health, healthy sexuality, mental well-being, substance use, and much more. They even have resources for parents and caregivers, including recommended screen-use for various ages, following the Canadian Pediatric Society Guidelines. Click the link below to find out more!

Did you know that Kelty Mental Health has a podcast? They have 6 seasons of episodes with a variety of topics from step-parenting and blended families to tics and tic disorders. Check out one of their latest episodes on restorative practices in schools at the link below. 

Since 1995, PLEA’s Children of the Street has worked to raise awareness and prevent the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of children and youth in BC.

Through our workshops and programs, we educate children, parents and caregivers and give them the information and practical tools they need to learn how to keep kids safe from all forms of sexual exploitation.

In addition to our prevention programs, we also provide support and referral services for children and families who have already been affected by sexual exploitation.

Each year, we reach an average of 25,000 kids through more than 500 workshops held in communities all around BC.

Why is this important?

Sexual exploitation in Canada is exploding, off and online. In fact, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) is processing more than 100,000 reports of online child sexual exploitation every month. Education is key to preventing this crime.

About our workshops

Our school-based presentations define and discuss sexual exploitation in an interactive and age-appropriate way. By using real life scenarios, activities, games and videos, our presenters engage participants in meaningful discussion about what sexual exploitation is, and how to prevent it from happening to them and their friends. Workshops are suitable for grades 4-12 and can be delivered in-person or online.

We also offer presentations for school staff and professionals working with youth on how to recognize child sexual exploitation and support victims, and for parents and caregivers on how to keep kids safe from online exploitation. Click the links below for posters.

All our workshops and services are provided free of charge. To book a workshop, visit our website, or contact Neely Yuda, Program Manager, at nyuda@plea.bc.ca

Hey members! Check it out!

Below, you will find a promo code for 10% off at Soshemo! Members can find a variety of fun resources to support SEL for learners of all ages.

The promo code for 10% off is BCSCA10

https://www.soshemo.ca/

Did you know that for the past two years, students have named guidance counsellors as the second most likely source of information about the Loran Award. This shows how crucial you are to encouraging applicants! Loran relies on you to identify these amazing young people, help them recognize their own potential, and guide them to apply for this transformative opportunity.

Every fall Loran offers 36 Loran Awards to graduating high school students across Canada who demonstrate strength of character, a commitment to service, and leadership potential. In addition to the 2026 Loran Awards, more than $400,000 will be given out in the form of 54 Finalist and 70 Provincial & Territorial awards to promising candidates. The entire experience is rigorous but rewarding—a chance for each participant to grow, reflect, and build connections with other community-engaged youth.

 There are currently 25 Loran Scholars from British Columbia in the program. Let’s ensure all students in the province hear about this opportunity with plenty of time to apply!

The deadline for applications is Oct. 16, 2025, before noon EST.

Click the link below to learn more about the criteria!

Tamara Cotton, BA, CCLS

The first time I cried in my office, it caught me off guard.

It was after a session with a youth who had just lost her friend in a tragic accident. Her grief was raw and heavy, and it cracked open another layer of grief from my own adolescence when I, too, lost my best friend. I remember closing the door and sinking into my chair, realizing that I wasn’t just holding space for her sorrow; I was also holding space for mine.

In the heart of every school lies a web of human connections, all of whom bring their unique stories, joys, and challenges to the shared space of learning. Among these narratives are often experiences of grief and loss, both personal and professional.

Grief touches every part of our lives.      

As counsellors, we show up every day ready to support youth through some of their most difficult moments. We are trained to guide, to listen, and to hold safer spaces. But one truth continues to emerge in my work, and in conversations with colleagues:

To truly support young people through grief, we must first acknowledge and address our own.

Prioritizing our own grief makes us better clinicians.

When staff address their own grief, they become better equipped to support students facing similar challenges. Young people often look to adults for cues on how to handle difficult emotions. By demonstrating vulnerability and resilience, we provide a powerful model for navigating grief. Additionally, staff who are emotionally attuned to their own experiences are more likely to recognize when a youth might need extra support.

Click "Learn More" to continue reading.

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...

🌟 Become a Leader in your BC School Counsellors Association! 🌟

Elections for the BCSCA executive are coming up and we are seeking passionate individuals to join the team. This is your opportunity to extend your impact, to build leadership skills, and to connect with school counsellors and other professionals across BC and Canada.

Why Put Your Name Forward?
Serving as a member of the executive comes with perks! You will gain experience that will benefit you as well as students and colleagues across BC. You can help to shape our future!🎯

Nominations Close October 24th at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) 1-1:30PM @ Sir Charles Tupper Secondary - Elections will only be held in-person so make sure you're there!
Send your CV to exec.bcsca@gmail.com or put your name forward in person from the floor at our AGM in Vancouver! Don’t miss your chance to do important work with an incredible group of people!

Positions in the British Columbia School Counsellors’ Association (BCSCA)
Most positions are open to any member to run for as we hold elections every year. Current Executives may put their names forward to stand for the future year, but any member can choose to run against them. 

Click below to learn more about the positions up for elections! 

The purpose of the BCSCA Advocacy Committee is to bring together school counsellors from across British Columbia who are interested in and/or passionate about advocacy. 

What is advocacy?

Mental health advocacy focuses on reducing stigma, improving access to care, and protecting the dignity and rights of people with mental health concerns.

Professional advocacy focuses on ensuring the school counselling profession is valued and supported so that school counsellors can best serve students.

Goals:

Create a collaborative space for school counsellors to meet and discuss matters related to advocacy.
Build members’ confidence and skills in engaging in advocacy.
Create a campaign that raises awareness about school counsellors, student mental health, etc.
Develop an Advocacy Toolkit to support future advocacy efforts.

Come and join us! Contact: BCSCA.Advocacy@gmail.com 

Do you have a favourite resource? Are you looking to connect with other school counsellors? Come across a free webinar? Have a favourite service that you've worked with before? Share it with us! We would love to include your thoughts, ideas, and resources in our newsletters!

Please email them to bcsca.publicationschair@gmail.com to have it featured in the next newsletter!

Please email Katie DeReus at dereusk@gmail.com for all inquiries! 

Creative Transformation: How School Counsellors are Changing the World

This keynote will explore the current landscape of school mental health and how new challenges are paving the way for change and transformation. The focus will be on practical strategies that counsellors can use to tap into their own potential as they support students in a changing world. Participants will leave inspired by a fresh perspective on the importance of their role and the incredible impact they are having on the next generation. 

We are very lucky to have Dr.Watson also leading 2 sessions: 

Session 1: Open Parachute for Counsellors: Exploring Applications for Small Groups & One-on-one Settings

This session will explore the newly released Open Parachute Counsellor Collection. Participants will learn how these resources can help manage their caseload and expand their reach within the school setting. This session is designed as a Think Tank, bringing together School Counsellors from across the province and Open Parachute founder, Dr Hayley Watson, in a collaborative context. The goal is not just to learn, but also to share your voice in the continued creation of evidence-based resources to support BC School Counsellors.

Session 2: Supporting Students in Times of Change: Understanding the Educator Guide

This session will explore the newly released Ministry Guide: Supporting Students in Times of Change. The creators, Bridget Kamp (Educator) and Dr Hayley Watson (Psychologist), will provide in-depth information on maximizing the Guide's potential. Specific focus will be placed on how the Guide is designed to support the work of Counsellors, and how to maximize its effectiveness in supporting the school community.  

Make sure you register today!

Open Parachute is an award-winning, online platform with a mission to create generational change by equipping students with practical mental health skills. Developed by a team of clinical psychologists and educators, our evidence-based resources include a wide range of ready-to-use lessons—from quick 5-minute activities to in-depth 45-minute lessons—making it easy for educators to integrate mental health into any classroom schedule. Lessons focus on prevention, helping students develop skills to manage current or future challenges, and include powerful student voices presented through authentic, trauma-informed documentary videos that highlight real stories of resilience. Other resources include our High School Community Building program, which addresses absenteeism, a targeted Counsellor Collection for Tier 2-3 support, and a whole-school approach that offers resources for parents, caregivers, and educators. With fully prepared materials, optional pre- and post-quizzes to measure student growth, and professional development through our Creating Resilient Classrooms series, Open Parachute supports the mental well-being of the entire school community.

The Fall/Winter 2025 edition of BC Counsellor Magazine is now live!

This edition features three articles focused on how School Counsellors can support our neurodivergent students. The authors featured in this edition are Mary Klovance; our very own Katie DeReus; and Rae Morris. 

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