Resources for Parents, Caregivers, and Families

If you would like to receive a paper copy of any of the publications or workbooks below, please contact Peak House School Program to request a copy.    Phone/text: (604) 358-0352

Recognizing Resilience: A Workbook for Parents & Caregivers of Teens Involved with Substances Kelty Mental Health  This workbook is for caregivers of youth who may be experimenting with or regularly engaged in substance use and is intended to move the focus from "the problem" into a discussion of hope. It provides tips on setting boundaries, dealing with crisis and/or aggression, types of supports, resources, and treatment options. It also contains tips for caregivers while the youth is attending residential treatment. This workbook also provides information about adolescent development, why youth may use substances, strategies for nurturing relationships and resilience, and opportunities for self-reflection on values, beliefs, attitudes, substance use, and parenting   

Cannabis Use and Youth: A parent's guide     Heretohelp, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Univ. of Victoria     A resource to help parents and caregivers explore myths, facts, and misunderstandings about cannabis and why developing the relationship and connecting though conversation with your young person is most important.

Substance Use & Young People - A Guide for Families & Their Caring Communities      CISUR, University of Victoria  This guide offers supports to help parents, families, and adult members of a young person's community talk with young people about alcohol and other drugs as they navigate individual life circumstances.

Handouts  -  Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), University of Victoria

• Quick Guide to Drug Use      Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria                        This one-page hand-out discusses why people use drugs and the factors that contribute to the level of risk.
• Talking with Kids About Drug Use and Gambling
• Parenting: The Drugs Question
• Tips for Hosting a Teen Party

TeenMentalHealth.org      A Canadian based website for information on youth mental health with evidence-based resources and programs for youth, parents, educators, and clinicians. The Parenting Your Teen publication covers a variety of topics including: healthy growth and development, identity, conflict and communication, technology and social media, dating, sexuality, mental illness, active and engaged parenting, and resources. 

The Coping Kit - A Guide for Families                      From Grief to Action (FGTA)                                                                    Written by family members for families and friends affected by substance use. The Coping Kit provides an overview of information and resources that are relevant at the different stages of substance use and addiction. 

Books: 

Untangled - Guiding teenage girls through the seven transitions into adulthood (2016) by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.

Hold On to Your Kids - Why parents need to matter more than peers (2013) by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D. & Gabor Maté, M.D.