Recognizing your youth's changing needs for support, together.
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- Start early – start talking about transitions and identifying those who can help when your youth is 12 years old.
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Help your youth connect with others who have a similar chronic condition/ disability who have transitioned to adult care:
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Share your own feelings and fears with your youth about their transition.
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Build an online support network through
TYZE.
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Make a list of your youth’s passions and interests – match them with after school activities and programs.
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Learn about how a group of youth with Diabetes are making a difference for each other through
Young and T1.
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Learn creating a social network to support transition from the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN).
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Connect youth through youth resource centres.
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Watch this
TEDx Talk on one youth’s philosophy for a happy life.
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If youth want to/are able to talk, they can call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Watch these anti-bullying
videos with your youth from
StopABully.ca.
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Team Orange provides a free app with self-help tools for youth in tough situations.
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Make a list of youth’s passions and interests – connect youth with groups and after school activities based on their interests.
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Watch this video from Boston Children's Hospital on making connections:
Call me maybe?
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Check out the free, secure, monitored online support group for youth of all abilities (and parents) at
AbilityOnline.org.
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Download the free graphic novel, "Social Smarts: Privacy, the Internet and You."
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Check out the
free online learning modules for youth, young adults, and parents on building friendships and being active, from
AbilityOnline.org.
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Your youth may prefer to have a mentor who fits well with their passions and interests, rather than their health condition.
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Talk to the youth about the people they see as mentors and positive influence in their life.
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Best Buddies creates opportunities for one-to-one friendship and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including school programs for youth.
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Understand that dealing every day with a chronic condition or disability can be difficult – these youth are at high risk for anxiety and/or depression.
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Encourage youth to talk to their Family Practitioner about changes in sleep, mood, anxiety, and/or depression (including thoughts and feelings).
- Visit
Open Mind BC for online tools and resources for youth with mental health issues transitioning to adult care.
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Find
mindfulness activities for youth from
Anxiety BC Youth.
- Find a list of
programs from BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services with referral criteria (many programs require a referral from a doctor - ask your Family Practitioner or specialist)
