Stories & Articles

10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Using a Mental Health App

These questions can help while you’re thinking about what’s important for you when you choose a mental health app, and some suggestions for what to do if you think it’s time to make a change.

Embracing My Journey: A Last Year of High School Filled with Discovery and Empowerment

After feeling overwhelmed, marijuana provided a temporary sense of relief. But soon enough, this youth realized that this cycle was consuming them, and they knew they needed to break free.

Growing Up with a Parent Struggling with Alcohol Use

Growing up, I knew that my father’s relationship with alcohol was different.

My Experience with Alcohol Use: Embracing Harm Reduction

Everyone’s journey is different. For me, working on using safely helped me recognize when I might be using alcohol in ways that were harmful to me.

Creating Your Own Adjustable Self-Care Toolkit

Sometimes, engaging in self-care might feel like it’s just too hard. An adjustable self-care toolkit can allow us to be kinder to ourselves and give us the compassion we need on those hard days.

Unconscious Bias

There are times we judge someone or something with unconscious bias - without knowing that is what we are doing! Read on to find out ways you can identify unconscious bias in your life, and what to do when you notice it.

Cannabis & You

As we are growing up, we learn to take control of our lives and to not let life take control of us. This section talks about non-medicinal cannabis use.

Brave in your body

From uncovering unrealistic beauty standards to providing a safe, non-judgmental space for healing and connection, Brave in your Body was created to support young people navigate poor body image.

Back to School: Balancing Wellness with Everything Else

Going back to school can be difficult after time off. It’s important to be kind to yourself and take a step back when things are feeling overwhelming for you. If your feelings are starting to take over your everyday life, reach out and get support whenever you need it. Read on to find resources to help you during the back to school season.

Jeanna’s Story

For many, culture has a huge impact on the way we view our bodies, and it adds another layer of pressure to conform to a certain image. By continuing to work on her self-acceptance, Jeanna is taking the power away from external media and voices to control how she feels about the way she looks.

Redefining what being Asian means

Chloe Gao, a physician-scientist trainee and second-generation immigrant, has struggled with her cultural identity growing up. Learn more about how she came to terms with this through her research in improving culturally safe supports for the Asian community.

“We need to build a better bridge”

Youth face increased risks due to substance use. As Canada grapples with the ongoing poisoning crisis, what can we do to help youth who use substances and their families/caregivers get the support they need?

Jay’s Story

Jay has navigated body image concerns, gender identity and cultural norms to become their authentic and unapologetic self — and inspire others to do the same.

Parents Like Us Have Something to Say

Chantal Brasset, a Family Peer Supporter at Foundry Victoria, shares her experience working alongside the Improving Treatment Together (ITT) Project team and her reflections on the research findings and experiences of the many caregivers involved.

Be an Active Witness

It is important to learn how to safely interrupt and intervene if you witness discrimination. This article explains how certain words and actions can help us de-escalate and defuse such an incident to prevent more harm.

Dealing with a Friendship Breakup

There’s a lot out there about breaking up with a romantic partner, but what if a friendship isn’t working out anymore? Navigating separations in any relationship is difficult - read on for our tips on how to handle friendship breakups.

What to do if you’re Falling Behind in Class

When you’re struggling with mental health, it can be really hard to complete daily tasks, let alone assignments and exams. Read on for tips on what to do if you feel like you’re falling behind in school.

Meet Shane, Family Peer Supporter at Foundry BC Virtual

Shane is a family peer supporter at Foundry Virtual BC. We asked Shane to answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about family peer support. 

Anxiety When Seeing a Counsellor

Anxious about counselling? Whether it’s your first time or 100th time, your feelings are valid and it’s okay to feel this way. Read on for what you need to know from someone who’s been in your shoes.

Intro to Discrimination

It’s important to recognize discrimination and find support if you experience it. Recognizing and challenging discrimination helps build more inclusive spaces for us all. Learn more about discrimination and what you can do about it.

Myths and Facts on Vaping and Tobacco

There are many myths about vaping and tobacco. This section explains the truth around some of the common myths.

Overcoming the COVID-19 Gap in Your Resume

It can be hard to know where to start when building a resume and you might feel like there are gaps in your experience because of pandemic lockdowns. No matter what your life looked like, we're here for you. Keep reading for steps on how to start a resume, overcoming the COVID-19 gap, and making your resume stand out.

From Cedar to Sweetgrass: Let’s Talk About Wellness

This article explores what wellness means for Indigenous peoples. This includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures.

Finding a Safe Space Online

Safe spaces provide a network of support and understanding. They are places for people to maintain a sense of wellbeing and belonging. Read on for more information on safe spaces and what to look for when choosing one.

Intro to Vaccines for Youth

Vaccines do more than protect the person getting vaccinated, they also protect everyone around them. See below to learn more about vaccines in BC.

Finding Support When You’re Always the Supporter

If you are someone who leans towards supporting others, it’s easy to forget about yourself and end up dismissing your own feelings and emotions. When that happens, you might experience compassion fatigue otherwise known as empathic strain, which can lead to burn out. Does this sound like you? To learn more about compassion fatigue and discover tips to support you, the supporter, keep reading!

An Intro to BC Health Insurance For Youth

Sometimes you may have to deal with an unexpected injury or illness. When that happens, your MSP (Medical Services Plan) may help cover the cost of treatment. But health insurance can be a really complicated topic, so we’ve put together a summary below to help explain it.

Caring for your loved ones during the Holiday season

We asked a couple of our family peer supporters on the Foundry Virtual services team for ways to support young people while ensuring that you - as a caregiver - can support yourself during this potentially difficult season.

10 Tips to Navigate the Holidays

We know that this time of year can be hard; we’ve been there, and we get it! As a team of peer supporters, we created a list of our top 10 tips to navigate (and survive!) the holidays to the best of our abilities.

Vaping

More and more youth are vaping and it’s important to know more about why people vape, the risks, and how you can self-assess your own habits.

Cannabis Laws

It is now legal to use cannabis in Canada and Canada has laws for both the non-medical use of cannabis and for the medical use of cannabis. This section has information on both of these laws.

Wearing Masks and How They Help

Wearing a mask is recommended in public spaces if you are not fully vaccinated. It’s important to know what masks do and how to use them properly when you wear them.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the History of Residential Schools

On September 30th we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a time to reflect and bring forth discussion about a devastating part of Canada’s colonial history: The Indian Residential School system.

LGBTQIA and Two-Spirited Identity in a Virtual World

Rory, a youth peer supporter at Foundry Virtual, talks about the advantages of connecting with others online as an LGBTQIA or Two-Spirit young person.

Want to beat the pandemic blues? Get active!

Abigail, from Foundry's own youth advisory committee, has a few ways to keep yourself well during COVID-19.

Tips for When the News Stresses You Out

Events around the world can be scary. If you’re feeling anxious about what’s going on around the world, you’re not alone. Your feelings are valid, and there are things you can do to take care of yourself.

Active Listening

Listening is an important part of nurturing relationships with people in your life. When a person knows you’re listening, it can make them more comfortable, especially when talking about tough topics.

Sexting

Sharing intimate images or messages can be a way to show your affection for someone, but it’s important to know the risks involved. Read more to learn about the impact of sexting before sending out that flirty message.

Hockey Talks: Mental Health Awareness

The legacy of a dedicated athlete ignited a flame of hope to alleviate some of the misconceptions and stigma associated with mental illness.

Anxiety about climate change is real, but there is something you can do about it

The fear of the consequences of climate change is a real thing. It can affect your health and mental health. It's important to take care of yourself, but there are also things you can do to help fight against climate change.

What are the holiday blues?

The holiday season can be a time of joy for a lot of people. You may feel differently. The holiday blues affect many people, but there are ways to help avoid or manage these negative feelings.

3 Things to Remember This Holiday Season

For some the holidays can be a happy time of year, but they can also be pretty stressful. With all that’s going on, it’s important to remember these three things before you wear yourself out.

Everything is Fine

But if it's not, we can help. Foundry offers support for whatever's on your mind.

Dance and Mental Health Q&A

Dance can help people maintain their physical health, but it can have benefits for mental health too.

How to Spot Fake News

Fake news and clickbait shows up often, so it’s important to think twice before believing what you see online.

Q&A with a Dietitian

Understanding what your nutritional needs are while growing up can be confusing, especially when you hear mixed messages. We’ve talked to BC dietitians to clear up some of the questions you may have.

Tips for Keeping Yourself Out of Debt

With everything that requires money, how do you keep yourself out of debt? We’ve got some tips for you to keep in mind when managing your hard earned cash.

Meal Preparation For People with No Time

Meal preparation (meal prep) can save you time and money, but it can be a difficult habit to get into. Here are some tips for meal prep and planning written especially for busy people.

Tips to Declutter Your Social Media

Sometimes, social media can get to be too much. When it does, there are a few things you can do to take back control of your feed.

How I Learned to Navigate Autism and Embrace My Own Uniqueness

As an autistic woman in her early twenties, Keara is learning how to accept herself. Now, she wants to help others do the same.

5 Tips for Staying Motivated (even if you’re really not feeling it)

It can be tricky to keep motivated, so here are some ideas to get you going again.

Remembrance Day and the Poppy Campaign

November 11 marks the anniversary of the end of the First World War. Remembrance Day is a time to remember and honour those who have served in the nation’s defence.

How Animals Can Be Good for Your Health

They cuddle, they play and they can be your best friend. A furry friend can be a great addition to your family life, and they can be good for your mental and physical health.

Procrastination

You know volunteering can be good for others and the community, but did you know that it can benefit you too? Volunteering and helping others may be what helps you in the long run.

5 Tips for Studying Effectively

Exam time is around the corner, and you may be feeling unprepared. While you may be feeling the heat, there are some ways to keep cool and effectively make the most of the study time you’ve got.

5 Tips for the New School Year

You may be really excited to go back to school, you may also not be looking forward to it at all or you may lie somewhere in between. It can be a scary, exciting, daunting, but also a very rewarding time. Here are five tips to help make the new school year a healthy and successful one.

5 Ways to Help You Beat Procrastination

Feeling overwhelmed with all the things you have to do… especially when you realize you could’ve given yourself much more time to get it all done? Here are some ways to to help you check off all the things on your task list.

Anna’s Story

After spending most of her childhood feeling confused about her identity as a First Nations person, Anna reconnected with her Indigenous roots, finding strength and purpose in the process.

Seven Days of Self-Care

Self-care takes different forms for different people, but it is essentially the long term maintenance of your overall well-being. So what kind of maintenance are we talking about here?

5 Easy Ways To Keep Up With Journaling

So you’ve decided to keep a journal! But how can you be sure you can keep up with it? Or maybe you’ve tried journalling before but always stopped eventually? Here are a few ways to get your hands in writing mode.

Christina’s Story

Growing up, Christina often felt caught between two worlds. Now she’s drawing on lessons from her past to help others.

6 Tips for Hiking This Summer

Thinking of going on a hike? If you're out there trying to get that perfect #ExploreBC post, here are some tips to make your adventure a fun and safe one!

Happy graduation! … Now what?

You finally got that cap and gown, but are you feeling unsure about your next chapter in life?

Laurie’s Story

Getting the right diagnosis helped Laurie learn how to manage her mental health challenges. Now, she’s devoting her life to helping others do the same.

Nicole’s Story

In high school, Nicole seemed to have it all: she was a top student and the captain of the school’s cheerleading squad. But below the surface, things weren’t quite as they seemed.

Tesa’s Story

After living through an eating disorder, Tesa felt like she was given a second chance in life. Now, she’s intent on making it count.

5 Ways to Get Ready for a Productive and Fun Summer

Even though summer is still a few months away, it's never too early to start thinking about things you want to do during the upcoming break.

Lauren’s Story

Throughout her mental health journey, Lauren has always found clarity – and community – on a soccer pitch. Now she hopes to use the Beautiful Game to help others.

Erin’s Story

Erin knows that getting help for her mental health sooner could have stopped things from spiraling out of control. That’s why she’s on a mission to tell young people to get help as early as possible.

6 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep isn't always easy, but using these tips can help.

Francis’ Story

How a Vancouver-based rapper transformed his mental health challenge into art, and found inner peace one rhyme at a time.

Alexis’s Story

How a horse and a new found perspective on life helped this amazing teen overcome her mental health challenges.

Connor’s Story

Why a chemistry student with social anxiety decided to pick up a camera and face one of his worst fears.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Make Sure You’re in a Healthy Relationship

Whether you've just started seeing someone, or have been with them for a while, it's always a good idea to take some time to reflect on your relationship.

8 Easy Tips for Venting to Friends

Because talking to someone is always a good idea.

Kyle’s Story

How Hurricane Katrina helped this amazing young man conquer his social anxiety.

Joanna’s Story

Joanna struggled with her mental health, but poetry – and a newfound sense of self-love – helped her get through it.

Julian’s Story

After experiencing a traumatic event, Julian felt like his life had been put on hold, until a newfound purpose pushed him back into action.

Victoria’s Story

In order to overcome an eating disorder, Victoria had to find her inner warrior. Then she took to social media, hoping to help other women find their own.

Alexandra’s Story

Alexandra spent her teenage years battling depression and anxiety. Now she’s using her struggles to understand the science behind mental illness.

Lindsey’s Story

After silently struggling with her mental health, Lindsey discovered purpose – and confidence – where she least expected: her local yoga studio.

The Power of Telling Your Story

Through her own experiences, Andrea knows the value of telling her story and wants to help other young people share theirs.

Hargun’s Story

Anxiety and depression isolated Hargun from her friends and family. Now, she shares her story to help normalize mental health and end the stigma that still surrounds it.

Yvana’s Story

Knowing firsthand how hard it can be to navigate the health system, Yvana jumped at the chance to be involved with Foundry North Shore to help create a different experience for young people.