The Catalyst

The BCSCA is collaborating with the Compass Mental Health Team at BC Children's Hospital to provide a webinar series for school counselors. We are gathering feedback from school counselors about topics they are most interested in or feel the most need for. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to help the Compass Team determine what webinars to offer. 

Visit https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pWD2MSoZs02SuspCTxslnqXvqCcZ4EVHiswMtPQF_2tURU5XNkJJNkJEQVlTN0VJWFRUWUw4VEFGVi4u&route=shorturl to view the full article online.

January have you feeling the dark, back to work blues? Consider this community endeavor to make you feel connected and (literally) stronger:

We're at it again! The BCSCA is participating again this year in the Push Up Challenge as the Canadian Mental Health Association pushes for better mental health in Canada. The Push Up Challenge is a free mental health and fitness challenge and fundraising effort focused on pushing for better mental health for all Canadians. 

The Push Up Challenge runs from Feb. 5-27, 2026 and the goal of 2000 push ups (or other fitness activity like squats, lunges or other modified movements) is symbolic of the 2000 lives lost to suicide each day world wide. The Push Up Challenge is supported through a free event app called Push for Better, as well as a website. 

The BC School Counsellors Association is passionate about mental health and promoting support and access for our students in mental health distress or living with mental illness. All Canadians have a right to mental health and School Counsellors know that this is a right and not a privilege. We know that mental health significantly affects our student’s abilities to learn, build relationships, and achieve success. We also know that the demands for mental health services is only increasing in frequency, as well as in it's complexity. We advocate for comprehensive mental health programming and early intervention to promote resilience and well-being for all kids.

JOIN US!
Participate on our team as a school counsellor for your own wellness and advocacy goals, share and engage your school community (staff and/ or students) in this mental health promotion and fitness activity, or support us with a donation. We know that together we are stronger (and the workouts and fitness will also literally make us stronger). So say yes to this WIN WIN and join us in February! Download the app or navigate to the website today. 

Visit https://www.thepushupchallenge.ca/fundraisers/bcschoolcounsellorsassociation to view the full article online.

You are invited to spend time with colleagues in an intervision peer supervision group: a guided process of reflection and conversation to help build connections, broaden perspectives on challenges, and (often) alleviate some stress.   

The first option for these groups is 7:30 - 9 am on the first Friday of each month (other than January, where it is scheduled for the second Friday, which is tomorrow). Please register at https://us02web.zoom.us/ meeting/register/K2diOdI_ QjicE4jx9c-oEw.

 The second option for these groups is 6:30 - 8:00 pm on the second Monday of the month from January through to June of 2026. Please register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ QEmlZOl4SsSZqOquN7uktQ.

Both invitations are open to all teachers with the option for school counsellors to be placed in triads with other school counsellors if that is preferred (that is easy to work out in the groups once we see who is there). 

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=911109&issueID=105729 to view the full article online.

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! 

Visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/erase/documents/mental-health-wellness/mhsu-language-guide-for-families.pdf to view the full article online.

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

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/pdf/Keeping_Kids_Safe_Online_Poster.pdf to view the full article online.

Last call to book "Stand Up, Speak Out" free of charge before the federal funding ends in March 2026. Workshops are intended for all students gr.8-12 and focus on "sexual violence prevention, positive and harmful forms of masculinity, and safe bystander intervention." Click the link below to book a free youth workshop today! 

Visit https://www.childrenofthestreet.com/workshops/youth-workshops/stand-up-speak-out/ to view the full article online.

Hey members! Check out this workshop series from Family Smart. This series focuses on families that have a child or youth that has been a patient in a psychiatric unit or has accessed an emergency room due to their mental health. Please pass this along to families that you know would benefit.

Visit https://familysmart.ca/help-for-the-hard-times-workshop/ to view the full article online.

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...

Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1041691956629342/ to view the full article online.

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!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=910932&issueID=105729 to view the full article online.

Thank you to Dr.Hayley Watson for being the Gold Sponsor of our last conference. Your keynote and workshops were truly a gift that we are so thankful for!

There were some technology bumps in the conference, and we thank members for being patient and flexible. A huge thank you to all who came out and got to connect in person. We hope to see you again next year!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=910938&issueID=105729 to view the full article online.

Thank you to all of our exhibitors who participated in our conference! We hope you will return next year!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=910940&issueID=105729 to view the full article online.

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. 

Visit https://www.bccounsellor-digital.com/bcot/0225_fall_winter_2025/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=2083719#articleId2083719 to view the full article online.

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 Winter/Spring edition is January 23/26.

Click the link below to read the Writer Submission Guidelines

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/bco-nwl/pdf/Writer_Submission_Guidelines.pdf to view the full article online.