Introduction
It’s quiet, but it’s everywhere—a kind of worry shared by parents, teachers, and teens themselves. In Canada, about one in five youth will face a mental health issue each year, and in Alberta, more than 23% of young people aged 15 to 24 report symptoms of depression or anxiety. But behind every number is…
The Heart of Trauma-Informed Parenting
Let’s be honest—parenting is hard even on a good day. But if you’re raising a child who’s faced loss, change, or deep hurts, it’s a different kind of challenge altogether. Here in Alberta, we see families navigating these struggles all the time. Trauma-informed parenting is about meeting your child right…
What Trauma-Informed Care Means to Us
Everyone walks around carrying stories. Some of those stories are heavier than others, and sometimes, what happened in the past still feels close, even if years have gone by. At Changes for Hope, we believe trauma-informed care is about truly seeing and hearing people, no matter where they are…
What Are Community-Based Mental Health Programs?
Community-based mental health programs are the kind of support most people wish they had growing up. Instead of sending folks to a big hospital across town, these programs show up right where life happens. Think of a counselor running drop-in hours at your local rec center, or a friendly…
When things get messy at home, it’s easy to wonder what to do. The 3 R’s—Regulate, Relate, Reason—help. They’re not magic. They just work, especially when you use them in order.
First, you help your kid settle down. Don’t talk too much, don’t rush. Sometimes it means sitting on the floor. Sometimes you just wait.…
What Is Trauma-Informed Grief Counseling?
There’s no map for losing someone in a way that shakes you up inside. Some days you just want to be left alone. Other days, you wish someone would sit with you and not say a word. That’s the kind of help trauma-informed grief counseling aims for. It’s not about…
Mental health integration means making it simple and normal to get help with emotional struggles, right in the places you already go for your regular needs. Instead of having mental health care in a different building—or even a different city—it’s offered at your local doctor’s office, school, or community center. For a lot of folks,…
Every family hits a rough patch where parents and kids just can’t seem to connect. The good news is, there are simple, practical ways to close those parent-youth communication gaps. Using ideas inspired by trauma-informed care, you can create a home where everyone feels heard and respected. Here are ten easy fixes to help your…
If you’ve never been inside a community group care home, you probably have a bunch of assumptions. I did, too. It’s easy to picture strict rules, distant staff, and a cold, institutional vibe. But after seeing one up close—and hearing stories from people who’ve lived it—I can tell you, the reality is so much more…
Real Talk from One Parent to Another Yes, trauma-informed care can help your child. I know this not just from what I’ve read, but from my own life and other parents I’ve talked to. Sometimes, what kids need most isn’t another set of rules—it’s someone who “gets it” and sees behind the behavior.
Let me…