Our team of child and teen mental health counsellors offers individual and group counselling in schools. They discuss topics such as self-esteem or how to manage depression, stress or anxiety.

The team also offers various activities, such as:

• Parent support
• Parenting skills groups
• Themed workshops

Who is it for? These services are for French-speakers under the age of 21 who are enrolled in the Viamonde or MonAvenir school board.

Eligibility:

• Individual in-school counselling must be arranged by a school social worker.
• The consent of a parent or guardian is mandatory for children aged 12 or under.

Where: Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington areas

Workshops for Students

Elementary and high school students take part in group workshops discussing topics such as:

• Bullying and cyber-bullying—the impact of new technology and how to protect yourself
• Assertiveness—practical tips and learning to say “No!”
• Self-esteem (girls aged 12 to 16)—body image, intimate relationships, health and wellness

Advice for Parents

Parents receive practical advice to help them understand and manage their children’s behaviour.

• Parent-teen relationships—social and emotional changes
• Bullying and cyber-bullying—the impact of new technology and how to protect your child
• The invisible child—how to help them overcome shyness
• The angry child—how to manage meltdowns without panicking

Support for Teaching Staff

Teaching staff learn to recognize the behaviour of students in distress. This workshop also provides an overview of services available in French in the community.

• Recognizing when children have been exposed to violence and how to intervene
• Stress in children—how to cope with difficult situations
• Recognizing indicators of depression and anxiety in young people

The multidisciplinary team dedicated to teen mental health (low to moderate complexity) includes the following professionals:

• Child and youth counsellor
• Special educator
• Social workers
• Social service workers

Services are provided by means of educational and therapeutic groups, themed workshops and individual counselling services.

The CSCHN can also play a coordination role to help French-speaking parents secure specialized services for their child, such as services related to autism, psychiatric services and more complex mental health services.

This program covers a wide range of issues, including:

• Coping difficulties
• Anxiety
• Relationship problems
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Behavioural problems
• Grief

Who is it for? These community programs are open to French-speaking children and teens in the Hamilton/Niagara region.

Eligibility: Referrals for community mental health services (for children and teens) must come from Contact Niagara.

Where: Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington areas