for Children, Youth & Families
Kelty Blog
Forgiving Ourselves and Accepting Help as Parents
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”.
-Carl Rogers
When my son was a baby, there were so many times I could have used more support. I was lucky enough to have people in my life who would have offered it, but...
Parental Anxiety – (Trying to) Worry less, live more
I am generally a positive person. For most of my life when I’d experience setbacks or encounter challenges I’d say to myself, what’s the opportunity here? And I can say that in my professional life I still take this approach daily. As a parent however, that is a...
Balancing Our Minds 2017: Community Summits
For the past four years, the annual Balancing Our Minds Youth Summit event has been my favourite day of the year. I realize I’m shortchanging a whole number of holidays, celebrations, birthdays and general life events with that statement, but I can’t help it – it’s true...
Feminism and Mental Health
Early on in my University experience, I was introduced by new friends and professors to feminism. Like many people, I previously had a knee-jerk, negative reaction to the concept; I thought, ‘Things seem pretty equal to me, so what’s the problem?’. But through engaging with...
Making Sense of Suicidal Thoughts
“It’s never the pain that takes us out of the game, loves, it’s the SHAME about the pain”
-Glennon Doyle Melton
Sunday September 10th was World Suicide Prevention Day. But of course every day should be suicide prevention day....
The Sandwich Generation
The Sandwich Generation: a generation of people (usually in their 30s or 40s) who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children. As a young adult in my mid-twenties, I learned about this term during university. I did not even cross my mind that only a...
Providing Empathy
They say that pain is more bearable in the company of another human being. It is healing and comforting to share perspectives without being judged. Now, imagine yourself trying to support a loved one through recovery from an eating disorder. Their irrational and critical...
"I'm not going!"
It’s the first day of school. Yesterday, thirteen year old Jade excitedly picked out her clothes and chatted with her friends. She had been waiting for years to start high school. But today, Jade is still in bed, head hidden beneath the covers. It’s 7:55 and...
Is My Child taking their Medication?
The following post was reviewed by Cynara Radley, Senior Practice Lead, BCCH Mental Health Programs
When people experience a mental illness, medications are not the only treatment option. Pharmacists and physicians are trained to discuss and offer non-drug treatments as...
Keeping Youth Healthy While Going for Gold
Over the last two weeks, I’ve been inspired and moved by all the amazing Olympic athletes. As Rio comes to a close and we prepare for a new sports season, it’s a good time to contemplate how to keep sports a positive force in kids’ lives. My hero of the...