Emotion Regulation - Deepening Our Understanding - Special Live FamilySmart Event (online)
2025-02-12 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Have you ever found yourself looking at your child’s emotional outburst and thinking, “What the heck is happening?” or “This doesn’t make any sense,” or “What on earth are they so upset about – it’s not that big a deal?” If so, you are certainly not alone! Many parents describe feeling as though they’re walking on eggshells or avoiding taking their children out in fear of an emotional ‘meltdown’ which can be embarrassing, upsetting, and can lead to some pretty big emotions for the grown ups as well.
If this sounds like you, or like someone you care about, please join us for an evening filled with information about what can lead to big emotions and for some concrete strategies for responding skillfully to those situations. Nicole will join us live on Zoom to lead us through an evening of learning which will expand upon some key points including:

Understanding emotion dysregulation as a skills deficit, and identifying strategies to grow those skills.
How to anticipate when big emotions will occur, and exploring specific skills for responding to it.
Understanding how the principle of attunement can be a roadmap for finding solutions that will work for you and your family.
Hoping for the best, planning for the worst – so that everyone knows what to expect.
How to repair the relationship when it’s all gone wrong.

Please join us live online for an evening filled with information, reflection, and no doubt a good amount of laughter as well.
Speaker: Nicole Allen is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, mom, wife and dog lover who, over the past decade, has worked with young people and their caregivers to build relationships and emotion regulation strategies, especially in times of mental health crisis. Nicole has private practices in Abbotsford and Fort Langley.
This event will be hosted on Zoom.
The presentation will begin at 6:30 pm and end at 8 pm Pacific Time.
Please note: The event is free. Registration is required and limited.
Register here.

ADHD - The Real Deal
2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
ADHD doesn’t just affect the person living with ADHD, it also affects those around them. As parents of kids living with ADHD, we can benefit from learning what ADHD is and how to support our kids. Dr. Duncan dispels some myths and explains how and why the ADHD brain works the way it does.
Join us to learn from Dr. Don Duncan, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.
Come together and watch a video presentation and stay for a facilitated conversation by our Family Peer Support Workers.
12:00pm-1:30pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
1:00pm-2:30pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
Register Here
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources.
Thank you.

For Families: A Conversation About Eating Disorders
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Knowing how to help our kids who are experiencing an eating disorder can be a terrifying, isolating and overwhelming experience. Learn about disordered eating, what to be aware of, the importance of connection, and strategies that help support recovery.
Join us as Victoria Keddis hosts a conversation with Eating Disorders Therapist & Educator Carmen Kauffman, and Rylee McKinlay, a young person with lived experience, and Terri McKinlay, a parent with lived experience.
Come together and watch a video presentation and stay for a facilitated conversation by our Family Peer Support Workers.
Carmen Kauffman, Eating Disorders Therapist & Educator, will be joining us live on Zoom to help answer some of your questions.
6:30pm-8:00pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
7:30pm-9:00pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
Register Here
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources.
Thank you.

CSSHSA Violence Prevention Webinar
2025-02-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for an informative webinar on violence prevention! Our expert panel of speakers will share valuable insights, practical strategies, and best practices for creating a safer environment for both individuals and staff.
In this session, you will learn about violence prevention requirements from a Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) perspective, explore best practices in behavioral care planning, understand the importance of effective follow-up after an incident, and discover how CSSHSA can support your organization.
Hear from our experts:
• Geri Grigg, HEU’s Occupational Health & Safety Representative with over 15 years of experience in health and safety
• Tigran Bajgoric, CSSHSA’s Chief Executive Officer, with over 15 years in health and safety, driving key initiatives to enhance workplace safety in the social services sector
• Kavita Kamat, Laurel Behavior Support Services’ Clinical Director and Behavioural Analyst with over 20 years of experience working with children and adults from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Farzad Kasad, HSA’s Senior Labour Relations Officer, with over 10 years of experience in health and safety.
Register here to secure your spot!

Gender Marvelous
2025-02-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Welcome to a space where families come together to share their experiences, ask questions, and support one another as we navigate the journey of raising our queer, gender-diverse and/or Two-Spirit children and youth. Join the conversation, find strength and encouragement, and connect with a network of families who understand. All queer and 2SLGBTQIA+ families are welcome. Let’s support each other and grow together!
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

Explosive Behaviour in Teens: Strategies To Empower Families
2025-03-04 18:30 - 2025-03-06 20:00, 2025-03-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-03-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
When our teens are showing up in explosive ways, we sometimes blame ourselves. Listen to a therapist explain some causes of explosive behaviour and strategies that support parents and teens. ( Online Events )

Dates & Times:
March 4, 5, 6, 11,& 25th 6:30 pm – 8:00pm
March 12, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Watch Now: https://youtu.be/USkd1QIeNdc?si=GF4rJik-GH0ljYIb
RSVP:https://familysmart.ca/monthly-events/

Help For the Hard Times Workshop
2025-03-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-03-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
For parents and caregivers whose children have been at the ER or have had a hospital stay for mental health or substance use issues.

Details for 1-hour Workshops:

Session 1: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 1)

Session 2: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 2)
Session 3: How to take care of yourself and your family after a crisis
Session 4: How to find the resources you need

Dates: Offered every month at various times
Cost: Free of Charge

For more information and registration please visit:www.familysmart.ca/workshops

SEA: For Adults online workshop
2025-03-11 18:30 - 20:00
A 90-minute online suicide prevention workshop developed by NEED2 to provide foundational information about suicide that is accessible and relevant to adults, no matter their role in the community.
Date: March 11, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8pm
Once you’ve registered, you will receive the Zoom link the morning of the workshop.

You Gotta Have Friends
2025-03-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
“ You Gotta Have Friends” aims to highlight the vital role that relationships play in enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities. We will explore the emotional, social, and psychological benefits of having strong, supportive friendships, emphasizing how these connections can foster a sense of belonging and community. We will exchange ideas, stories and strategies together (you might even make a friend or two-) Shelley Nessman is the Director of Family Support and Leadership at PLAN and is co- founder of In the Company of Others

Vicarious Trauma in the Workplace
2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Is Your Workplace Prepared for Vicarious Trauma? Learn How to Build a Trauma-Informed Culture
Vicarious trauma can quietly impact your team, but you can take action. Join our webinar on March 19th as we explore how understanding vicarious trauma can help you create a healthier, more resilient workplace. Learn to recognize the signs, implement strategies like the Stress Pain Container, and develop a trauma-informed culture that supports your team’s well-being.
Register now to secure your spot and protect both individuals and your organization!

Control Exposure Risks from Unregulated Substances
2025-03-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
Join us on March 25th from 10am to 11am for an informative webinar on managing exposure risks from unregulated substances in the workplace. Hear from expert speakers with decades of health and safety experience as they share key strategies and best practices for addressing the risks of unregulated substance exposure, with a focus on the social services sector.
Register to secure your spot!

Improving Wellness with BounceBack®: A Free Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Program
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Explore BounceBack®, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s free, evidence-based mental health program designed to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms by up to 50%. Grounded in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), this program offers BC residents aged 13+ practical strategies to manage stress, worry, unhelpful thinking, and more. Learn how self-selected workbooks and personalized support from a telephone coach over 4-6 sessions can help you take control of your mental well-being and navigate life’s challenges.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how BounceBack® can make a difference in your life. Register today

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Understand the structure of BounceBack® program, including its focus on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles.
Learn how the program for BC residents aged 13 and over can improve their mental wellbeing.
Highlight evidence-based strategies participants can learn, such as managing stress, reducing worry, addressing unhelpful thinking, and facing mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

About our presenter:

Kate Longpre is the National Manager of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) BounceBack® program. She has managed early intervention mental health programs at CMHA since 2019. Prior to joining CMHA, Kate worked in refugee resettlement supporting the settlement and inclusion of refugees and newcomers in communities across Canada. During this time, Kate founded the We Speak Translate project a first of its kind partnership with Google Translate. The We Speak Translate project trained individuals, representing diverse sectors, in how to use the Google Translate app to create more welcoming and inclusive communities for newcomers to Canada. Kate has a Masters in Community Development from the University of Victoria.

Wellness Exchange in Action: Steps to Boost Your Well-Being
2025-04-12 - 2025-04-30 | Virtual Event
Life can be stressful. These stressors can range from work issues, interpersonal conflicts, to the daily stressors such as sitting in traffic. Community social service workers face unique challenges by caring for others that can really impact their overall well-being. Having effective tools within your toolbox when life stressors pop up can be a protective factor for your overall well-being. In this article, we will be exploring what the Wellness Exchange Program is, and go through some practical, simple steps for moving towards wellness.

What is the Wellness Exchange Program?

The Wellness Exchange Program was adapted from the Alberta Health Services Wellness Exchange Toolkit by Provincial Health Services Authority. It was created to help individuals build a resilience toolkit and modelled after skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) group format. The Wellness Exchange Program can be used in both disaster response recovery and in non-disaster settings to help manage life’s stressors. Training is delivered through a five-week series of one-hour workshops covering these topics:

Problem Solving
Positive Activities
Managing Reactions
Helpful Thinking
Healthy Connections

1. Problem Solving

Have you experienced a problem in the past that you had difficulty solving? Maybe it took you a very long time to come to a resolution, and this could have caused distress and disruption for a long period of time. This module explores a structured way of problem solving which encourages participants to influence what they can by taking a step-by-step approach. This can increase our confidence and propel us to explore options for problem solving with more confidence

Action Plan: Write it down
Do you know that writing things down uses a different cognitive process than merely thinking or contemplating on a matter? One simple way to effectively problem solve is to write things down. This could be a pros and cons list or a brain dump of what you’ve been reflecting on. Writing can increase our critical thinking, memory and creativity in regard to problem solving.1

2. Positive Activities

Positive activities are the things we do that can really improve our overall wellbeing. When are you most likely to do things, you enjoy or that improves your mood? When it comes positive activities, for some people it might be weather dependent, meaning, they’re likely to do enjoyable activities during the warmer months. Having a plan with activities you can do year-round can help increase your mood and improve your mental health.

Action Plan: Rate How You Feel
Becoming an observer of ourselves can be a very effective way of growing our understanding of what brings us joy and how to self soothe in times of stress. Keep a record of how you feel before and after engaging in a positive activity. For example, if you listen to music after a long day, or exercise during your lunch break, go ahead and observe how you feel after. Rate your mood before and after the activity on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. You may come up with some interesting and insightful data on what works well for you.

3. Managing Reactions

Most people find managing their reactions while facing a stressor to be difficult. Learning to regulate reactions can help protect our wellbeing, our relationships and also help with responding in ways that are healthy and helpful. This module explores the purpose of emotions and guides participants to identify their own stressors and reactions, while reacting a plan on how to react in healthier ways.

Action Plan: Notice your thoughts
When you’re experiencing a reaction that you don’t think is helpful, take a moment to notice some of your thoughts. For example, you can say- “I notice I am having a thought that…” then specify what the thought is. This can bring awareness to what are thoughts are and also help us look at our thoughts more objectively.2

4. Helpful Thinking

Our thoughts can have a big impact on how we see the world, ourselves and even our future. This module explores different common unhelpful thinking styles and strategies for more helpful thinking. Learning these skills can help persons improve their overall mood and increase feelings of wellness and hope.

Action Plan: Keep a Thought Journal
It can be challenging to work on unhelpful thinking if we are unaware of what those unhelpful thoughts are in the first place. A first step could be to journal or keep a record of what some of these unhelpful thoughts are. Ask yourself, is there another way I can look at this that is more helpful yet true? Helpful thinking is not false positivity. It is a structured way of creating a narrative that is both true and helpful.

5. Healthy Connections

Social support and connecting with others can reduce feelings of isolation, increase belonging and is a vital contributing factor to our well-being. This module can help a participant identify the areas they need support in when it comes in their social life and create a plan for getting or giving support in a way that is effective and aligns with their values.

Action Plan: Express gratitude/appreciation to someone in your life
Take a moment to express gratitude to someone who supports you. Expressing gratitude to a safe person within your social circle can have a twofold benefit. It can help improve the mood of the person expressing gratitude since it focuses on the positive areas in that person’s life. Also, by expressing gratitude to someone you appreciate, it helps strengthen the relationship and bond. This expression of gratitude can be big or small for example, a verbal affirmation or something else that aligns better with your values and relationship.

Get Involved

Ready to enhance your well-being and connect with your peers? Join us in building a healthier and more resilient sector. Sign up for the Wellness Exchange Program.

Mental Wellness - Y Mind Teen (13-18) & Youth (18-30)
2025-04-15 17:45 - 2025-04-16 18:45
Mental health challenges shouldn’t get in the way of doing what you love. Our programs help overcome barriers and get you on the right track to where you’d like to be.
Our free mental wellness programs, Y Mind and Mind Medicine, help participants learn how to manage stress and mild-to-moderate anxiety (individuals experiencing severe anxiety and stress that significantly impacts their ability to perform daily activities likely require more support than what Y Mind is intended to provide). Our programs are evidence-based and teach Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness.
To participate, you may self-refer, you do not need a diagnosis of anxiety, and you do not need to be a Y member.
Y MIND TEEN – AGES 13-18
Y Mind Teen is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. This program supports teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing symptoms of stress and worry to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to cope with stress. Y Mind Teen is led by trained mental health professionals and educators and gives teens the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
Registration Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in person at the Westhills Y (Langford) and Downtown locations. If you are not able to attend these for any reason, both virtual and in person groups are available to those in other parts of BC and Vancouver Island. Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
The dates and times for our next information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown Y In Person Information Session:
Tuesday April 15th at 5:45 pm @ 851 Broughton Street
or
Tuesday April 22nd at 5:45 pm @ 851 Broughton Street

Downtown Y In Person Program Sessions:
Tuesdays April 29th – June 10th, 2025 at 6 pm -7:30 pm @ 851 Broughton Street
We are looking for interest in offering a Westhills Teen group. Please register below to attend an information session on April 9th @ 5:45 PM at our Association Services office, 202-1314 Lakepoint Way. With enough interest we can form a group at that location.
The registration process for Y Mind Teen includes attendance at an Information Session (either online or in person, depending on the site) and a brief intake meeting with one of our facilitators to determine if the group is a best fit for the teen.
REGISTER ONLINE
*Expecting an email from the Y team… please ensure you check your junk email folders occasionally emails may be flagged as spam.

Y MIND YOUTH – AGES 18 – 30
The Y Mind Youth programs are delivered in person, in Victoria, at the Downtown Y on Broughton St. Online groups are available with enough interest or through our partner sites on Vancouver Island as well as other Y’s across BC.
If stress is impacting your life and preventing you from doing what you want or need to do, this group is for you. Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. Y Mind Youth supports people ages 18-30 who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety/stress to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to increase coping. This group is led by trained mental health professionals and gives young adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.

Registraton Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in person at the Downtown Y in Victoria in Spring 2025 (depending on interest). Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
All participants must register and attend one of our virtual information sessions and a one-on-one intake to register for the program. The dates and times for our next Victoria information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown Y In Person Information Session:
Wednesday April 16th 2025 at 5:45pm @ 851 Broughton Street
or
Wednesday April 23rd 2025 at 5:45pm @ 851 Broughton Street
Downtown Y In Person Program Sessions:
Wednesdays May 21 – July 2, 2025 6pm – 8:30pm @ 851 Broughton Street

Y Mind Youth is being offered in the Westshore by Pacific Centre Family Services at 324 Goldstream Ave. If you are interested in that group, please contact Julia at jleggett@pcfsa.org
REGISTER ONLINE
*Expecting an email from the Y team… please ensure you check your junk email folders occasionally emails may be flagged as spam.

CSSHSA - Health & Safety Community of Practice
2025-04-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
Join our Health & Safety Community of Practice Meeting! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Health & Safety specialists, share challenges, and discuss best practices. Following the first CoP meeting in January, we’ll discuss survey results, meeting logistics, and CoP sub-groups. Together, we can build a strong and engaged community focused on improving health and safety. Register now and be part of the conversation!
This meeting is exclusive to health and safety professionals in the following WorkSafeBC Classification Units:
• 766007 – Counselling or Social Services (not elsewhere specified)
• 766010 – Life and Job Skills Training
• 766017 – Residential Social Service Facility
Register Here

Finding and Creating Connection with Kids
2025-05-06 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
A Conversation With Parents
Jagdeep Hayre, Kim Robinson, and Tammy Music
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
6:30pm – 7:30pm (PST)
FINDING & CREATING CONNECTION WITH KIDS
Connecting with kids can feel challenging, especially when they are struggling with their mental health. Whether we are a parent or a caring adult in a young person’s life, what we say and do matters. Simple, caring conversations and shared moments—no matter how small—can have a meaningful impact.
Join us online for a candid conversation with parents who have navigated these challenges firsthand. They’ll share their experiences, struggles, and the ways they’ve found to stay connected—even when it feels impossible. These parents are also Family Peer Support workers, offering guidance to other families facing similar journeys.

Register For Free

Supporting Kids with Substance Misuse
2025-05-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
A Conversation With
Together We Can

Wednesday, May 7, 2025
6:30pm – 7:30pm (PST)
SUPPORTING KIDS WITH SUBSTANCE MISUSE
As parents and caregivers, how we talk about substance use shapes how young people see it. This session explores insights from those with lived experience, offering ways to support without judgment.
Topics We’ll Cover:

Strength-Based Conversations – Focusing on resilience over challenges
Deficit-Based Thinking – Recognizing and reframing unhelpful narratives
Trauma-Informed Language – How words shape understanding and healing
Boundary Setting – Why it’s so hard and how to navigate it
Taking Care of You! – Prioritizing your well-being while supporting others

Alex Lekei is a Canadian Certified Addictions Counsellor with over 15 years of experience in healthcare. They currently serve as a Family Educator with Together We Can, a Peer Leader with Vancouver Coastal Health, and operates his own private practice, Guiding Solutions Counselling. Drawing from his own lived experience with substance use as a youth and young adult, combined with academic training and community involvement, they bring a unique and empathetic perspective.
Steven Hall is the Public Relations Manager at Together We Can Drug & Alcohol Recovery & Education Society (TWC). A graduate of TWC’s 12-step-based program, Steven draws on his own lived experience with addiction and mental health to support others. Now part of TWC’s Community Relations and Family Support Team, he is passionate about creating safe spaces and believes recovery is possible—and everyone is worthy of it.

Register For Free

Substance Use and the Power of Support
2025-05-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
A Conversation With
Guy Felicella

Thursday, May 8, 2025
6:30pm – 7:30pm (PST)
SUBSTANCE USE AND THE POWER OF SUPPORT
Fear is often the loudest emotion when our kids are involved in substance use—but what if we led with care instead? Join us online for an important conversation with Guy Felicella, a renowned advocate and speaker, as he shares how connection and relationship can make a difference in substance use and addiction. Learn how we can show care not just for our kids, but for the broader community impacted by substance use disorder.
Guy Felicella is an international public speaker and advocate for drug policy reform. Overcoming a two-decade substance use disorder, he has turned his life around after years of homelessness, gang involvement, and surviving overdoses in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Now, Guy passionately promotes harm reduction, trauma therapy, and faster access to treatment, using his story of resilience and recovery to inspire others and push for compassionate drug policies and addiction support.

Register For Free

Understanding Autism, PDA & ODD: Strategies to Avoid Power Struggles
2025-05-09 09:30 - 11:30
Struggling with defiance, shutdowns, or resistance to everyday demands? Join us for this practical and compassionate session designed to help caregivers, educators, and professionals understand the overlap between Autism, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder).
Learn how to reduce power struggles and foster collaboration through low-demand, relationship-based strategies rooted in emotional safety and respect.
Walk away with:

Tools to identify and respond to avoidance behaviours
Proactive techniques to de-escalate and connect
Communication strategies that build trust

Perfect for anyone supporting neurodivergent children and youth who experience demand avoidance or strong opposition.
Register now and rethink “challenging behaviour” through a neurodiversity-affirming lens!
Streaming live.

Neurodivergent Early Years
2025-05-09 12:30 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
With Dr. Michelle Schmidt & Allison Balfour
What does neurodivergence look like in the early years—and how can we respond with curiosity, care, and confidence? In this empowering session, discover how to support Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children in preschool and early primary settings with strategies that celebrate difference and build connection.
You’ll explore:

Early signs and communication styles of neurodivergent kids
Tools to support regulation, play, and safety
Inclusive practices that help children thrive in home, school, and community environments

Designed for early childhood educators, family support professionals, and caregivers, this session is your invitation to deepen your understanding of neurodiversity—right from the start.
Join us to support neurodivergent kids in becoming their best selves—on their terms.
$5 parking and cafeteria on-site
