The Truth about SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder

young boy running in rain with umbrella
How it can affect kids, and how parents can help
If you’ve noticed a shift in your child’s mood or behaviour as the season changes, you might have wondered if seasonal affective disorder (sometimes abbreviated SAD) could be involved. But what exactly is seasonal affective disorder, and how do you know if your child is experiencing it? Read on for help understanding this sometimes-confusing diagnosis, plus tips to help your child thrive through the winter, whether or not they’re experiencing SAD.
6 minutes

Interconnectedness

Pond
Bruce Carleton, MD, Division of Translational Therapeutics

There are two large mountain ponds on my property. When I moved here I wondered if the mosquito population would allow me to sit comfortably on the back porch in the summer months.  Since I moved in the winter, I had a few months of waiting to find the answer.  The surprise came in the Spring when the pa

4 minutes

October is ADHD Awareness Month!

ADHD
Miranda Doherty, Clinic Head of the BC Provincial ADHD Program at BC Children’s Hospital
October is ADHD Awareness month, and we are excited to kick off the fall with some helpful tips to add to your routine at home, school, and in the community! Whether you are a parent, student, or teacher, here are some brand new resources from the Healthy Minds Centre at BC Children’s Hospital to keep you Rolling with ADHD.
4 minutes
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Through real stories, expertise, and practical tips, this podcast helps families promote their mental health and wellness, navigating important topics to meet you where you are in your journey.

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Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

BC Children's Hospital 
Healthy Minds Centre, Building #85, Room P3-302, 3rd floor,
4555 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Local Phone: 604 875 2084
Toll-Free: 1 800 665 1822
keltycentre@cw.bc.ca

The BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is located on the unceded, traditional and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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Need urgent help?

Call 911 or go to your local hospital’s emergency room if you or anyone else’s safety is at risk and immediate help is needed.

If you or someone you know is thinking about ending their own life, or needs someone to talk to about suicidal thoughts or ideas:

  • Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) for the BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line. Available in over 140 languages using a language service.
  • Call 1-800-588-8717 for the BC KUU-US Indigenous Crisis and Support Line.  
  • Call or text 988 for the National Suicide Crisis Helpline. Available in English and French.

For mental health or substance use crisis support:

  • Call 310-6789 for the BC Mental Health Support Line anytime for emotional support, information and resources. Available in over 140 languages using a language service.

 For commonly asked questions about supports and services in BC, explore our Ask Kelty Mental Health tool.