Where You Are

Self-Harm: What Families Need to Know

S02E1 | March 4, 2020

 

In BC, approximately 1 in 6(1) youth engage in self-harm. Self-harm, also referred to as self-injury, is a behaviour used to cope with bigger, underlying emotions – and is also a behaviour that many parents and other caring adults are understandably concerned about. In this episode, we speak to a youth, who has lived experience with self-harm; and a clinical counsellor, Kim Leifso, who has supported many youth who have self-harmed. Walk away from this episode with a greater understanding of why youth self-harm and what parents can do to support their child.

This episode is a collaboration between BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and FamilySmart.  

You can find a video of this podcast in the FamilySmart Resource Library. See video 


Introducing this episode's FamilySmart guest-host: Victoria Keddis!

Victoria is a Mom. She also works with FamilySmart an organization committed to making things better for children, youth and young adults with mental health challenges and their families and other caring adults.

fs

(1) BC Adolescent Health Survey, McCreary Centre Society, 2018

Guest bios

Kim Leifso

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Kim Leifso has been working with teens for over 20 years, and has spent much of her career working specifically with children and youth struggling with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. She is currently working as an Intervention Specialist at Vanguard Secondary School in Langley, BC. Over the years, Kim has worked with children, youth, families, and couples involving a multitude of mental health issues and other challenges. Kim is also an experienced facilitator and has been invited to provide workshops and training for Corrections Canada, 9-1-1 Operators, RCMP, Doctors of BC, various Public and Private School Districts, and much more. She also works as a Violent Threat Risk Assessment trainer with Safer Schools Together. Kim holds a Master's of Education in Counselling from the UBC, is a Registered Clinical Counselor, and a member of the American Association of Suicidology.    

FamilySmart® Youth in Residence

We are joined by a FamilySmart® Youth in Residence who provides peer-support, resources, and system navigation to families and young people across BC. They understand the effect that mental health challenges can have on young people and families, and helps to support those who are struggling.   

 

RESOURCES:

Recent Episodes

Podcast Episode

Subscribe

Supporting Your Child Who Has Experienced Trauma

Where You Are | Episode E10 | May 24, 2023

Our hosts Bryn and Char speak with Lynne Godfrey (parent and grandparent) and Dr. Linda Uyeda to explore trauma, understand its impact on mental health and wellbeing, and share strategies parents and caregivers can use to support their child who has experienced trauma.

Podcast Episode

Subscribe

Re-Release (ICYMI) - Eating Disorders: How Parents Can Play an Active Role in Recovery

Where You Are | Episode E9 | May 3, 2023

In this episode Michelle and Bryn are joined by Kelly, a parent of a youth diagnosed with an eating disorder, and Dr. Jennifer Coelho, Psychologist at BC Children’s Hospital’s Provincial Specialized Eating Disorder Program, to answer questions we often hear from families about supporting a youth with an eating disorder.

Podcast Episode

No Shortage of Questions: Helping Kids Cope with Big Life Changes

| Episode E8 | April 12, 2023

In this minisode, we bring questions from BC families to a leading BC Children's Hospital child psychiatrist and family therapist on how to support kids through big life events and changes such as starting a new school, moving, etc. Listen for strategies that you can share with your child to help them cope with changes that come with big life events.


See all podcast episodes
My Collections
Close

Save Clear

Enter your email to receive a link to your collections.

help | privacy

Look for these to create a collection of resources. You can add the resources you find most useful to collections and save them using the function in this tab.

learn more | privacy

Create a new collection

Create

or

Add to an existing collection

Close
Close

Need urgent help?

If you, your child, or someone you care about is having a mental health or substance use crisis:

  • Call 911 or go to your local hospital’s emergency room if you are in need of immediate help
  • Call 1-800- SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) anytime if you are concerned about someone who may be considering suicide

These are a few examples of situations when you should seek immediate help:

  • The child or youth is thinking about or trying to end their life
  • The child or youth is experiencing sensations that aren’t real and/or beliefs that can’t possibly be true
  • The child or youth is unable to care for themselves, and it’s putting them at risk of serious harm
  • The child or youth is experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose
  • The child or youth is taking a dangerous combination of substances (like medications and alcohol)

For non-urgent support options, explore our Ask Kelty Mental Health tool. You’ll find answers to common questions families have about accessing mental health supports and services in BC for their child or youth.