During and after traumatic events, it is important to take care of your emotional health. Pay attention to how you and your family members are feeling and acting. It is important to remember that you are not alone and there are various resources available to help support you and your family.
The tips below may help you and your family cope or find support:
Take care of yourself
Self-care is very important at this time, as worries can get worse if we are not taking care of ourselves. Stick to a daily routine, eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and make time for relaxation. It’s okay to take a break from news coverage and social media in order to support your and your family’s strength and well-being.
Stay connected with family and friends
Connect with others on how they are feeling and share how you are feeling.
Talking to Children & Youth
Check-in to see how children and youth in your family understand the events and offer explanations or discussions appropriate to your child/youth’s age and situation.
- Share age-appropriate information and talk about feelings that come up.
- Reassure the child/youth around safety. Address rumours and answer questions.
- Set a good example by taking care of yourself and spending some family time together when possible.
- Consider their exposure to media and social media coverage of events. Ask the child/youth to talk about what they are seeing and hearing.
Explore self-support strategies
Explore self-support strategies like mindfulness, yoga, meditation, art, or exercise to manage anxious thoughts. You can find ideas from credible web sources, such as Anxiety Canada and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Try to maintain a sense of hope.
Seek help when needed
Seek help when needed– for an emergency call 911.
If distress impacts activities of your daily life, you could call the Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (no area code) for information and emotional support or visit CrisisLines.bc.ca/services for more options.
Impact North Shore offers mental health information to im/migrants. Call 604-988-2931 for more information or to access services.
Immediate Crisis Support
- Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (24-hour service, no area code needed)
- Suicide Support Line: 1-800-784-2433 (24-hour service)
- Kids Help Phone: Text CONNECT to 686868 or visit KidsHelpPhone.ca
- Crisis Centre: Youth in BC Crisis Chat: Visit YouthInBC.com (noon to 1:00 am)
Other Services Available on the North Shore:
Foundry: Drop-in counselling sessions, peer support check-ins, and group offerings for young people ages 12–24 and their caregivers (no referral or assessment required). Call 1-833-308-6379, email online@foundrybc.ca or register online to book an appointment at FoundryBC.ca/virtual
Canadian Mental Health Association North & West Vancouver Branch: Adults can access a full continuum of prevention and early intervention services in-person and online. Services include low-cost services. Visit NorthWestCancouver.CMHA.bc.ca to learn more.
Family Services of the North Shore: Children, youth, and families can access a full continuum of prevention and early intervention services in-person and online. Services include low-cost/free counselling. Visit FamilyServices.bc.ca to find support.
Here to Help: Find the information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one by visiting HereToHelp.bc.ca
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