Family School Liaison Counsellor

Hello there! My name is Tamara Menzies and I am the Family School Liaison Counsellor here at Calgary Christian Secondary School. I am a Registered Social Worker with a background in working with families. I am honoured to be working with the students of Calgary Christian School, and am excited to come alongside youth and their families as they navigate through various challenges. In addition to providing counselling services, I also connect students and families to external resources and supports as needed, facilitate group work, offer educational class presentations, and work closely with the teachers and other school staff. As a Christian, my faith serves as a solid foundation and guide in all the work I do. Some examples of ways I support students and their families include: 

  • Family Relationships: separation/divorce, blended families, sibling conflict, grief & loss
  • Social Relationships: peer pressure, social skills, bullying, friendship
  • Emotional concerns: anxiety, stress, anger management, depression, self-esteem, substance abuse, emotional/physical/sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts
  • Spiritual concerns: moral choices, questions about God or the Bible, feelings of guilt or shame, struggling with forgiveness

I am working at CCS on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you have any questions about what I do or how a student can access this program, please feel free to call me at (403) 242-2896 ext. 345 or email me.  Thank you!

 

STUDENT AND PARENT RESOURCES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Kids Health: www.kidshealth.org 

Teen Health: http://kidshealth.org/teen/

 

ANXIETY

Anxiety BC: www.anxietybc.com

Test Anxiety: Anxiety booklet  

What to do when you worry too much: https://dentonllc.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/what-to-do-when-you-worry-too-much-a-kids-guide-to-overcoming-anxiety.pdf

Anxiety Prescription: http://fcrc-test.otherorange.com/health-information/library/information-prescriptions/anxiety/      

Apps For Anxiety: http://www.adam.mb.ca/blog/apps-for-anxiety

 

DEPRESSION

Dealing With Depression - Antidepressant Skills for Teens: http://www.comh.ca/publications/resources/dwd/DWD_WritableVersion.pdf

 

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercises - You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaTDNYjk-Gw 

Automatic Thoughts - YouTube Wellcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2zRA5zCA6M

 

FREE EDUCATION SESSIONS/WORKSHOPS

Family & Community Resource Centre: http://fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/ces.php

 

ANONYMOUS CRISIS SUPPORT

Calgary Connecteen: Peer support online, by text, or over the phone. 403-264-TEEN;  www.calgaryconnecteen.com/

Kids Help Phone for 24/7 counseling support: www.kidshelpphone.ca ;  1-800-668-6868

Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642

 

MENTAL HEALTH ARTICLES

Teen Mental Health information: http://teenmentalhealth.org/for-families-and-teens/

Stigma and Discrimination: http://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/stigma-and-discrimination/ 

Study: Impact of unaddressed mental health issues on students is severe http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/09/19/study-impact-of-unaddressed-mental-health-issues-on-students-is-severe/

 

PARENTING

Dr. Ross Green's Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: http://www.livesinthebalance.org/

Focus on the Family: www.focusonthefamily.ca

5 tips for a positive relationship with your teen: http://www.familyshare.com/parenting/5-tips-for-a-positive-relationship-with-your-teen