Walking Alongside Youth with Depression
Online Learning Resource
Supporting you to walk alongside youth with depression
A warm welcome
Walking Alongside Youth with Depression (WAY – Depression) is an online learning resource created specifically for parents, care providers and others caring for children and youth with mild to moderate depression. Teachers, coaches and any other adults who are involved with children and youth will also benefit from this learning resource.
Why WAY – Depression?
Many adults in communities across B.C. and beyond are caring for children and youth who are experiencing mild to moderate depression. WAY – Depression was developed to show caring adults that there are many practical things they can do every day to support these children and youth.
According to Simon Fraser University’s Children’s Health Policy Centre, an estimated 9,800 children and youth throughout B.C. are affected by a major depressive disorder.
The information in WAY – Depression is intended to empower caring adults and to give them confidence in their interactions with children and youth. This information is also intended to encourage families to reflect on their own family and cultural traditions and understandings of how to support emotional well-being.
How WAY – Depression was developed
The Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Aboriginal Policy and Practice Framework (2015) outlines a respectful and collaborative process, referred to as “Gathering the Circle,” which has guided the development of all aspects of WAY – Depression. Gathering the Circle ensures that the foundations and values of Indigenous Peoples are considered and kept at the centre by:
- learning who needs to be involved from the family and community, including Elders and traditional knowledge keepers
- building respectful and listening relationships with those who are to be involved
- gathering those who must be involved, in a culturally safe manner and setting
- seeking understanding about the cultural and community context of the matter and how that should guide decisions and actions
- viewing the matter from a perspective that considers spiritual, mental, emotional and physical dimensions
- considering strengths that can be built upon and how to take proactive steps
WAY – Depression was developed in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and communities throughout B.C., in recognition of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization and intergenerational trauma on Indigenous families and communities, and the urgent need for culturally specific approaches. Culturally specific approaches are based on the specific cultural background of a family. Indigenous Peoples in B.C. have a wide diversity of cultural traditions, and B.C. is also home to people from all over the world and from many different cultures.
“It’s your path but you don’t have to walk it alone.”