Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Finding Hope and Healing Amidst Loss
Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Finding Hope and Healing Amidst Loss As a mental health professional, I often hear from clients about the unique challenges
Ensuring the mental well-being of our children and youth is vital for our community. Below is a list of local mental health resources tailored to address various concerns and provide the necessary support for children and young people.
Contact Hamilton – Entry point for accessing services for children and youth
McMaster Children’s Hospital Community Education Services – Offers courses and workshops for children, teens, adults, and parents/caregivers
Alternatives for Youth – Substance use service for 12-23 year olds. Also offer parenting support and education workshops
Youth Wellness Centre (St. Joe’s) – Programs and services for “emerging adults” 17-25 year olds including peer supports and walk in counselling
COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) – 24-hour crisis support, call 905-972-8338
Barrett Centre for Crisis Support – Crisis support via phone, in person, or emergency bed stay program for persons 16+
ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids) – Burlington lead agency for children’s mental health, offer crisis line and walk in counselling
Kids HelpPhone – phone support for kids, also offers texting
Youthline – LGBTTQQ2SI peer support line in Ontario
For those seeking to deepen their understanding of child development and effective parenting, the following books are essential reads. These insightful works, authored by leading experts in psychology and family dynamics, offer practical strategies and transformative perspectives on nurturing children’s emotional and mental well-being. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply interested in the latest research on child development, these books provide valuable knowledge and tools to support and guide the next generation.For those interested in child development and effective parenting, these books offer valuable insights and practical strategies from leading experts in psychology and family dynamics. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply interested in the latest research, these books provide valuable knowledge and tools to support and guide the next generation.
The Awakened Family – Dr. Shefali Tsabary
The Whole-Brained Child – Dr.Daniel Siegel & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
From informative websites to engaging YouTube videos, these platforms offer accessible guidance, coping strategies, and support networks tailored to youth mental health. Below is a selection of recommended websites that provide valuable information and tools to help young people navigate their mental health journey.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Check out these blog posts for insights, tips, and strategies for supporting young people and families. Explore the articles to gain a deeper understanding of youth mental health challenges and discover ways to promote a healthier family dynamic.
Navigating Grief During the Holidays: Finding Hope and Healing Amidst Loss As a mental health professional, I often hear from clients about the unique challenges
Is Your Teen Struggling with Social Anxiety? Adolescence is a time of significant change and development, but for many teens, it can also be a
What is ARFID? ARFID stands for “avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder” and is classified as a fairly new eating disorder in the DSM-5. When most of
By Registering for this program, FREE Fall Transitions Parent Workshop, you hereby:
1. Acknowledge, understand, and agree that Acorn Counselling cannot ensure complete security and confidentiality throughout this virtual program. You agree to comply with the Group Rules designed to mitigate any breaches of confidentiality, and in the case of such a breach, you agree not to hold Acorn Counselling liable.
2. Acknowledge, agree and represent that, considering this program is being facilitated through online and virtual means, Acorn Counselling and all program facilitators are unable to supervise or be responsible for you by any means.
3. You understand, agree, and represent that safety (including that of any child or teen participating in our programming) is your sole responsibility.
4. You, the parent and caregiver of the child and teenage participants, and all participants themselves, will hold harmless and indemnify Acorn Counselling against any and all claims and actions arising out of the participation of the participant in the Free Mental Health Workshop program, including, without limitations, expenses, judgements, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any liability, suit, action, loss, or damage arising or resulting from the participants participation in the Free virtual workshop activities.
This workshop is facilitated by a Infant and Family Mental Health Counsellor and Clinical Intern. This group is not a psychotherapy and these free groups or workshops are not a replacement or substitute for psychotherapy. Should you need additional services, including mental health assessment and treatment, you may access these services in the following places:
• Family Doctor
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through employer, if eligible
• Free Child & Youth Mental Health Services (Previously Walk-in Services through City of Hamilton)
• Private Therapy (You can either contact us to schedule an appointment, or explore Psychology Today for listings of other therapists in the area).
By Registering for this program, Free Mental Health Workshops for Kids & Teens, you hereby:
1. Acknowledge, understand, and agree that Acorn Counselling cannot ensure complete security and confidentiality throughout this virtual program. You agree to comply with the Group Rules designed to mitigate any breaches of confidentiality, and in the case of such a breach, you agree not to hold Acorn Counselling liable.
2. Acknowledge, agree and represent that, considering this program is being facilitated through online and virtual means, Acorn Counselling and all program facilitators are unable to supervise your child/teen whatsoever. This includes their use of computers, electronic devices, or the internet.
3. You understand, agree, and represent that the safety of any child or teen participating in our programming is your sole responsibility. You will further ensure that any child under your care that is participating in our virtual programming does so in a safe, careful and responsible manner (including safe and legal use of the internet and their devices).
4. You, the parent and caregiver of the child and teenage participants, and the participants themselves, will hold harmless and indemnify Acorn Counselling against any and all claims and actions arising out of the participation of the participant in the Free Mental Health Workshop program, including, without limitations, expenses, judgements, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any liability, suit, action, loss, or damage arising or resulting from the participants participation in the Free virtual workshop activities.
This workshop is facilitated by a highly qualified Child and Youth Counsellor. The CYC is specially trained in and has skills related to child and adolescent development, including therapeutic group facilitation. The CYC is not a psychotherapist and these free workshops are not a replacement or substitute for psychotherapy. Should your child or teen need additional services, including mental health assessment and treatment, you may access these services in the following places:
• Family Doctor
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through employer, if eligible
• Free Child & Youth Mental Health Services (Previously Walk-in Services through City of Hamilton)
• Private Therapy (You can either contact us to schedule an appointment, or explore Psychology Today for listings of other therapists in the area).
1. A parent’s name and phone number is required with each registration. We will only contact you if there are safety concerns.
2. We require the location of each group participant at the time of the group.
3. We will only use first names in group, and no information about other participants can be shared with anyone.
4. There will not be any kinds of recordings of sessions, even by our members or facilitators.
5. If there are safety concerns (for self or others), or a suspicion of child abuse, then parents, police, and/or child protection authorities will be notified by the facilitator, as per our legal and ethical obligations.
6. Only registered participants are eligible to attend the virtual workshops so that we can maintain the safety all participants.
7. The cameras/video must remain on so that we can verify age and registration of each participant, and know who is in the space. Adults (especially unrelated to participants) will not be permitted to watch or participate.
8. There is only to be one participant per camera. If sibling groups would like to participate in the same workshop, we ask that each have their own device to ensure minimal distractions for other participants, manageable dynamics for facilitator, and siblings are to use devices in separate rooms to mitigate speaker feedback.
9. Parents and/or caregivers are encouraged to be home or easily available should a participant require additional support. Although we are virtually providing therapeutic programming, we are not responsible for the participant’s safety and encourage adequate adult supervision.
10. These groups are not a substitute for individual or group psychotherapy or treatment. If there are pressing mental health concerns, you are encouraged to explore treatment options on our resource page here.