By Cheryl Jahn

Help for stressed parents

Sep 3, 2020 | 3:49 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – “Today, our ministry and schools across BC are taking the best, and science-based, health advice and planning to have as many children as possible back in classrooms in September.”

That was Education Minister on August 26th, setting out the government’s intentions for school children. And it was also an announcement that set many a parent’s nerves on edge.

“Trying to make this decision? It almost, at times, feels like life and death,” says Maureen Davis with the local branch of the Canadian Mental health Association. “And it feels like a decision between physical health and mental health.”

And she says parents are also having to navigate how their children are handling back to school.

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“For parents to help support children who may be presenting with behavioural concerns at this time. And/or anxiety. And it can be incredibly hard to tell the difference,” explains Davis. “Is your child acting out? Or is your child anxious? And this is a resource that will very much help to find that. To put parents into the appropriate stream and provide them with education and support.”

And the Association has a trio of programs to help parents who are trying to make any of those decisions.

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Behaviour Program

Through a series of 6 to 14 weekly coaching sessions, along with exercises and workbooks, trained coaches work with parents and caregivers by phone to learn effective skills and techniques that support social skills and cooperation in their child. These techniques are proven to prevent, reduce and reverse the development of mild to moderate behaviour problems. You can learn more about this free program at www.confidentparents.ca

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Anxiety Program

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Anxiety Program is a ‘made in BC model’ based on the best available evidence for supporting families to effectively reduce various kinds of mild to moderate anxiety in their children. Delivered through videos and supported by scheduled telephone coaching sessions, the approach focuses on building skills and strategies that parents can use with their child and family at home and in community settings. Find out more about how this free program can help you and your child at www.confidentparents.ca

BounceBack® – Adults and Youth

BounceBack® is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online in a self-managed format or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. It’s free and there are no waitlists so participants can start straight away. For more information and details on how to register go to www.bouncebackbc.ca

And Davis says there are a number of programs offered for youth that parents may not be aware of so the doors to the branch are always open or you only have to call at (250)564-8644