Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Available to BCTF Members

Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

These programs are available in all BCTF locals and offer a range of services depending on the provider.  Please contact your local office for more information on their EFAP.  A list of providers is also available on the BCTF website https://www.bctf.ca/

The BCTF Health and Wellness Program

Support for members who need assistance to stay at work, or return to work, due to a physical or mental health diagnosis.  We continue to accept new referrals: https://www.bctf.ca/topics/services-information/wellness/apply-or-refer-someone-to-the-health-and-wellness-program; or by telephone at 604-871-1921, or toll free at 1-800-663-9163, ext. 1921.  For more information, please visit us via the Health and Wellness page on the BCTF website.

Starling Minds

Over 4 000 BCTF members have now registered for the online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based mental health resource, developed specifically for teachers. Members can register for the program and log in using the access code: BCTFMEMBER and their Member ID.  This resource is free for all BCTF Members and their families.  Go to: https://www.bctf.ca/topics/services- information/wellness/access-online-mental-health-therapy-(starling-minds) 

The Well Teacher

Written by Wade Repta, this book is a comprehensive teacher-specific resource to support and actualize wellness needs. It is filled with activities and information to equip educators with practical tools to set goals and make positive changes.  Copies of The Well Teacher are available in print ($39.95) or as an eBook ($24.95) and can be purchased through https://www.humanworkspress.com/

Internal Mediation Service (IMS)

A team of volunteer BCTF members, who are trained and experienced as mediators; and who work with members and others, to help resolve workplace conflicts that threaten positive relationships.  IMS will mediate conflicts between individual members, members and support staff, and members and administrators.  They will also work with small groups within schools, departments, local executives, Provincial Specialist Associations, and/or with Learning Support Assistants, as appropriate.  For additional information please contact Sherry Payne at 604-871-1803, toll free at 1-800-663-9163, local 1803 or by email at spayne@bctf.ca

BC 211

A free and confidential service that connects people to community, government, and social services resources; interpretation is available in over 150 languages.  The service includes support for basic needs such as food and shelter, mental health and addiction support, and legal and financial assistance.  For help, dial or text 211, the service is available 24 hours a day.  Additional information can be found online https://bc211.ca/

Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)

The society provides counselling, wellness, and healing services to residential school survivors, their families, and to those dealing with intergenerational trauma.  Additional information is available online https://www.irsss.ca/ or by contacting the IRSSS at 1-800-721-0066 or by emailing reception@irsss.ca

BC Crisis Centre

Provides immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgemental, confidential support and follow-up through 24/7 phone lines and online services https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/.  You can contact the hotline directly at 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) 1-800-310-6789 (Mental Health Support) or online chat (available from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM)

 

The BCTF website has a wealth of resources for teachers!  Check out www.bctf.ca

Social Justice Action Groups

The BCTF’s province-wide social justice network includes seven social justice action groups. Each action group is composed of four members from the provincial Committee for Action on Social Justice (CASJ), and they are all classroom teachers.

The purpose of the action groups is to provide information, lesson ideas, and professional support for classroom teachers. Each action group creates discrete web pages covering the areas for which they are responsible.

The action groups are listed below and include links to their web pages:

• Antiracism 
  
• Disability Justice
  
• Economic Justice
  
• Environmental Justice
  
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) 
  
• Peace and Global Education
  The Global Classroom lesson plans, a joint BCTF and CIDA project, containing unit plans designed for teachers, by teachers, have been updated and reposted on TeachBC. 

 For BCTF members: 

Starling Minds: support for BCTF members

If you are feeling stressed, remember that you are not alone!  

What is Starling Minds?

Starling Minds is an online mental health and wellness toolkit, designed for teachers, that provides education and training to manage stress and prevent anxiety and depression.  The Starling program was develop by Dr. Andrew Miki and is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

The BCTF has sponsored full access to the platform for you and your family so there is no cost.  Any information you enter on Starling Minds is private and secure.  

Starling helps teachers learn about stress, mental fitness exercises, and how to break unhealthy patterns that may lead to anxiety and depression. Starling provides:

• Online training tools and education videos based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• Case study videos of a teacher named Virginia 

• Evidence based training and tools that are available anytime and anywhere in the world

• An assessment of symptoms and functioning that tracks progress over time

• A five-module preventative mental health program

• A rules engine to provide unique recommendations for each user

• Early intervention programs for anxiety and/or depression

• Additional coverage for family members

Go to: https://bctf.ca/SalaryAndBenefits.aspx?id=38267

BCTF Member Portal

Please go the the BCTF member portal for information on issues of importance to teachers.  All you need is your BCTF membership number! (Contact the PRNTA office if you do not know your membership number.)