Teens in Control
For youth ages 13-18 who have a loved one with a mental illness or substance use disorder.
What to expect
The Teens in Control program is for youth ages 13-18 years old and consists of a two-day online workshop. Each session is 1.5 hours long and runs for two weeks, and it gives youth the opportunity to connect with peers who share similar experiences and interests.
Youth have the chance to relax and play games while learning about mental illness, self-care techniques, and skills for communicating with a loved one with mental illness.
Program goals
- Connect with others in similar situations.
- Gain a better understanding of mental illness and their loved ones.
- Bust stigma and dispel misinformation.
- Provide ways to deal with anxiety and stress.
- Develop healthy coping strategies and resilience.
- Encourage self-care and boundary-setting
Sign up
Refer a child, youth, or teen to BCSS Youth support groups today. Youth 14+ can self-refer.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, our curriculum includes information about substance use disorders.
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Teens in Control programming focuses on:
- Unpacking stigma and societal attitudes about mental illness
- Learning how to identify feelings and teaching coping strategies
- Giving the facts about mental illness
- Building self-esteem and the power of positive thinking
- Skill development so participants have the language and tools to talk about mental illness
- The importance of self-care strategies and boundary-setting
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We don’t have a specific ratio of how many youths’ loved ones have a mental illness versus substance use disorder, in part because a loved one does not need a diagnosis for the child to attend. Many participants’ loved ones have dual diagnoses.
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Participants of BCSS Youth programs are children and youth who have a loved one with a mental illness or substance use disorder. Participants must be between 8-18 years old and live in BC. We do not offer programs specifically for youth and children experiencing mental illness themselves.
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Children and youth can be referred to the program from a variety of sources, including healthcare professionals, community agencies, social workers, teachers, counsellors, and family members/caregivers. Youth 14+ may self-refer. You can find a printable version of our referral form HERE.
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