When we look at the mental health and well-being of children and youth, protective factors can help buffer against negative life experiences and support student wellbeing. When it comes to supporting protective factors, schools play an important role. In this episode we are joined by Silas, (a grade 12 student), Nathan (School District Deputy Super…

Expectations for parents and caregivers today are overwhelmingly high, with endless advice on the internet and bombardment of ‘perfect’ families on social media telling them they can do better. Parents may often feel like they are failing, even if they are not. Join us as we discuss with Dr. Angela Low and Sarah, mom of 2: The concept of shame as a…

In this minisode we are joined by Dr. Chris Willard, Harvard Psychologist, dad and author of ‘How To Grow Through What We Go Through.’ Together we talk about: The concept of post-traumatic growth, what it is and the supporting science, and Techniques and practices to encourage post-traumatic growth so that we can not just survive the challenges in …

In this minisode we talk about ways to adapt mindfulness for kids, rather than a one size fits all approach. Our hosts Bryn & Char connect with Dr. Chris Willard, 2 time TEDx presenter and Harvard Psychologist to discuss tailoring mindfulness techniques to a range of mental health challenges. Hear great examples of different practices through arts,…

We are sharing this great episode on growth mindset from Growing Up Game Plan: The Podcast, hosted by Saleema Noon. In this episode, Saleema and her guest Ginny, share four fundamental principles for nurturing a positive learning mindset and introduce a simple yet effective way to boost children's confidence in their learning and abilities. Ginny a…

Gender is an important part of your child’s development and overall identity. In this episode our hosts come together with Carrie & Wayne from TransParent Okanagan and Kendall, a Social Worker from BC Children’s Hospital to share with parents & caregivers of younger kids: A starting place to learn about concepts and terms related to gender Tips on …

As parents and caregivers, it can be easy to continuously push taking care of ourselves to the bottom of our list. But, when we prioritize our mental health and wellness, it also has a positive ripple effect on those around us. How can parents and caregivers take care of ourselves amidst full schedules and busy days? In this episode, Taryn, a paren…

Our external senses— smell, sight, touch, and taste—along with lesser-known internal ones like balance and location— are constantly working to help us make sense of our world around us. This intricate process, often known as ‘sensory processing,’ is the foundation of many daily tasks. For some children, navigating this sensory processing can be mor…

With four seasons of the podcast under their belts, our hosts reflect on episodes that have resonated with them. Bryn, Char and special guest Michelle Horn look back at topics including sleep, feeding and eating, concurrent disorders, when parenting gets tough, and more. Together, they discuss some of the gems shared by our many amazing guests incl…

When it comes to supporting children and youth through trauma there are things that parents can do to help. In this episode our hosts are joined by Lynne, a parent and grandparent who shares her personal story of navigating trauma within her family and Dr. Linda Uyeda, family physician with expertise in neuroscience, trauma and attachment. Together…

We are hard at work on upcoming episodes and sharing one of our Season 3 episodes that really stuck with us. In this episode, hosts 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 …

Changes and transitions are part of life. We know this as parents and caregivers. However, we don’t always know how to support our kids through these big life events - such as starting a new school, moving, the arrival of a new sibling, or loss of a loved one. In this minisode, hosts Bryn & Char discuss this topic with Dr. Ashley Miller, child psyc…

Separation and divorce can be a highly emotional time and stressful experience for children and youth, and tough to process at any age. In this minisode, we bring questions from BC families on separation and divorce to Dr. Ashley Miller, child psychiatrist and family therapist. Together we discuss tips for supporting both you and your child’s well-…

In the last few years, we have had no shortage of disturbing news and big, scary world events, be it pandemics, social injustices, wars, climate change issues like wildfires, floods, and more. In this minisode, Bryn and Char bring questions from BC parents and caregivers to Dr. Ashley Miller, child psychiatrist and family therapist. They dig into q…

Children can behave in challenging ways at many different stages of life. From tantrums and angry outbursts, to disruptive behaviour and constant negotiations, managing difficult behaviour is often a part of parenting and caregiving. Where You Are hosts Bryn and Char speak with Jeremy, dad of 2, and Dr. Janet Mah about why challenging behaviors can…

When it comes to substance use education, school professionals are an important resource. Schools can provide supportive environments that promote overall well-being and equip students with the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to make decisions about the substances they'll encounter as they grow. Bryn and guest co-host Cindy Andrew come t…

We are sharing this great episode from Parenting in the Trenches, a podcast by Karen Peters. With the holiday season approaching, we recognize that every family is unique and that the season will be different for all. This episode tackles the complexities of the holidays and offers 12 considerations that can help parents and caregivers increase the…

School is a big part of kids’ lives. When anxiety gets in the way of a child going to or staying at school, this can be really hard on the whole family. In this episode we look at what’s behind school anxiety, when parents should reach out for help, tips for parents and caregivers to promote their own coping, and strategies to help get your child b…

Parenting a kid with OCD can be difficult because you often have to go against your natural instincts. In this episode Michelle and Bryn are joined by Jen, a parent of a youth struggling with OCD, and Dr. Evelyn Stewart, Psychiatrist at BC Children’s Hospital and the founding Director of the Provincial Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Clinic…

For our final episode of Season 3, Bryn & Michelle bring questions from BC parents and caregivers to two leading child and youth mental health experts at BC Children’s Hospital, Dr. Ashley Miller and Dr. Amrit Dhariwal. Together they dig into questions including: How can I connect my teen when they won’t even talk to me? How can I best support my c…

We are sharing this great episode from Anxiety Canada’s Podcast, #OurAnxietyStories. As hosts of Where You Are, we know how powerful hearing mental health stories can be. This episode, released in October 2021, follows Botswana born and Canadian raised, 14-year-old Malia Baker. Her journey with anxiety peaked in Grade 4. Malia offers great strategi…

It’s important to talk openly with your child about substance use from an early age, but as parents and caregivers we don’t always know where to start. Michelle and Bryn sit down with Cindy Andrew and Art Steinmann, both parents and professionals with 30+ years of experience working in the field of youth substance use within BC schools and communit…

In BC, approximately 1 in 6 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, Ciara, who has lived experience with self-harm; …

Family life can be super stressful at times, there’s no doubt about it. And that’s where mindfulness can be helpful. Bryn and guest host Char Black sit down with Alison, a mother and coach for neurodiverse families, and Dr. Joanna McDermid, a Psychiatrist and the Associate Director of the BC Children’s Centre for Mindfulness. They discuss how mindf…

We are hard at work on upcoming episodes. And with Family Day just around the corner we are sharing one of our favourite episodes from Season 1. We all know parenting can be difficult. But when your child is struggling, emotionally or mentally, "difficult" doesn't begin to describe it. Feeling unable to help them is nothing short of devastating. So…

Between ages 0-6, a child’s social and emotional health is every bit as important as their physical health. It affects how they express emotions, deal with stress, develop friendships, and more. Join Bryn and Michelle as they take a closer look at social and emotional development (SED) in the early years, including what it is, how you can support y…

Stress levels and burnout for school professionals has been a significant and growing issue for quite some time and have only increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Michelle and guest co-host Gail Markin come together with Vanessa, a school District Counsellor, and Kim Weatherby, lead for EdCan's Well at Work Advisors program, to look at the importa…

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. The conversation covers how …

As we wrap up Season 2 of our podcast, we decided to reach out to our listeners and ask you to send in your questions about child and youth mental health. This episode explores a range of topics including anxiety, stress, technology use, managing family relationships, and how to have conversations about tough topics with your child. So grab your he…

Concurrent disorders are when mental illness and a substance use disorder happen at the same time. For example, depression and alcohol dependence or anxiety and opioid dependency. Join our podcast guests Ngaire, a parent of four, and Jennifer Toomey, a Registered Psychiatric Nurse at BC Children’s Hospital, as they discuss how to best support and t…

Raising a child with ADHD is challenging. With the disrupted routines and uncertainty of COVID-19, these challenges may be intensifying for some families. In this webinar recording, we will discuss these challenges and provide concrete tips to parents and caregivers for supporting children and youth with ADHD in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. …

This special episode is Part 2b in the recording of a Kelty Centre webinar series. It focuses on practical strategies to support high-school aged youth. In this webinar Dr. Sarah Anderson from BC Children’s Hospital, Julie Collette from Vancouver Coastal Health, and Paula Foran from the Vancouver School Board discuss how to develop a roadmap for su…

This special episode is Part 2a in the recording of a Kelty Centre webinar series, and focused on practical strategies to support elementary school-aged children. In this webinar Dr. Sarah Anderson from BC Children’s Hospital, Julie Collette from Vancouver Coastal Health, and Paula Foran from the Vancouver School Board cover how to develop a roadma…

This special episode is Part 1 in the recording of a Kelty Centre webinar series. Getting to school or managing a whole day at school can be really hard for some children and youth, due to anxiety or other related challenges. Dr. Alex DiGiacomo, BC Children’s Hospital, and Alexanda Wilson, Vancouver School Board SACY Program, provide parents and ca…

Many families are looking for better ways to guide their kids’ technology use, and to avoid battles and negotiations around screen time, video games, and tech use at home. This has become even more of a concern for many parents with the increased use of screens during COVID-19. Dr. Shimi Kang, child and youth psychiatrist, and her teenage son Joesh…

Going back to school is stressful for some children and youth – and this year, there may be even more anxiety and stress because of COVID-19. This special episode is a recording of a Kelty Centre webinar. Dr. Rosalind Catchpole and Dr. Sarah Anderson from BC Children's Hospital go over practical tools and strategies you can use to set your family u…

This episode is for school professionals. We bring together the voices and ideas of educators in rural and remote schools to share their learnings on how to support student and staff mental health and well-being. Caitlin Currie (Principal, Alexis Creek Elementary/Junior Secondary School) and Derrick Shaw (Principal, Valemount Secondary School) shin…

The mind-body connection is powerful. Somatization is the process of experiencing emotions as physical symptoms. Everyone experiences somatization, but, for some, it gets in the way of everyday life and requires treatment. Join Lena, a parent of a child who has been affected by somatization and Dr. Andrea Chapman (Psychiatrist, BC Children’s Hospit…

Parents know the importance nutrition plays in a child’s physical health, but what about their mental health? Join Char, a parent with two little ones, and Lorrie Chow, a dietitian at BC Children’s Hospital, for strategies that can reduce mealtime stress and help your child develop a healthy relationship with food. NOTE: This episode was recorded i…

With COVID-19, life at home looks drastically different. Parents are wearing multiple hats and being pulled in 100 different directions, with many feeling stretched and overwhelmed. In this special episode, Dr. Ashley Miller, BC Children’s Hospital Psychiatrist and mother of two, shares steps families can take to manage stress and stay emotionally …

In BC, 1 in 6 youth engages in self-harm (also known as self-injury). Self-harm is a behaviour used to cope with bigger, underlying emotions. It is also a behaviour that many parents and other caring adults are understandably concerned about. In this episode, we speak to a youth, Ciara, who has lived experience with self-harm; and a clinical counse…

We all know parenting can be difficult. But when your child is struggling, emotionally or mentally, "difficult" doesn't begin to describe it. Feeling unable to help them is nothing short of devastating. So what can you do when none of your regular tools seem to be working? In this episode, Mary (mom of 3) and Dr. Ashley Miller (BC Children's Child …

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is a hot topic in schools and parent communities right now. Today Gail Markin (parent, school counsellor and District SEL Lead) and Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl (Psychologist, Professor and world renowned SEL expert) unpack what parents and caregivers can do to support SEL at home, as well as learn about the role…

Episode 6: When it comes to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, there's so much information out there about it, it can be hard for parents and caregivers to wade through it all. So for this episode, we're starting at the beginning -- asking the big question: "What is ADHD?" Nina, a parent of a child with ADHD, and Dr. Ryan Chan, a ps…

Episode 5: Do you have an anxious child? Not sure how best to help them? Meet Tracy, a parent of two youth who are living with anxiety, and Dr. Sandra Clark, a clinical psychologist specializing in child and youth anxiety. Together, they explore common symptoms and effective strategies to support anxious children and youth. Brought to you by BC Chi…

Episode 4: Over 70% of Canadian children are not getting the sleep they need. Are you one of those families? Listen to Andrea Bell (parent) and Dr. Smita Naidoo (child and adolescent psychiatrist) explore sleep strategies and science that can help kids and teens sleep well to enhance mental wellness. ​ Brought to you by BC Children’s Kelty Mental H…

Episode 3: When it comes to the use of medications for mental health challenges, families have a lot of questions. Is it necessary? Is it safe? What about side effects? Alison (parent) and Dr. Dean Elbe (BC Children's Hospital Clinical Pharmacist) offer their insights and expertise on this topic. Brought to you by BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health …

Episode 2: Parents and caregivers are often curious about mindfulness – how do we fit this into our busy lives, does this actually help child and youth mental wellness? Listen to Paul (mindfulness champion) and Dr. Dzung Vo (founding Director of BC Children's Hospital Centre for Mindfulness) to learn more. Brought to you by BC Children’s Kelty Ment…

Episode 1: Dive into a topic that’s gaining in both evidence and curiosity... Resiliency! Our hosts speak with Lynne (parent and grandparent) and Dr. Linda Uyeda to explore resiliency, understand its connection to mental and physical health, and the building blocks of resiliency in children and youth. Brought to you by BC Children’s Kelty Mental He…

Welcome to Where You Are – a podcast from BC Children’s Mental Health Resource Centre. Through real stories, expertise, and practical tips, this podcast helps families and their children promote their mental health and wellness. Hosts Char and Michelle are joined each episode by parents, youth and leading health professionals as they navigate impor…