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Statement from Surrey Schools regarding the Tumbler Ridge Tragedy

Our deepest condolences are with the families, students, and staff of School District No. 59, and the Tumbler Ridge community, following the devastating events of February 10.

For those of us who have the privilege of working in education, the safety and well-being of every student is our highest priority every day. It is both shocking and heartbreaking when a place meant to be safe, supportive, and nurturing becomes the site of such a tragic event. We join communities across British Columbia in mourning the lives lost and in grieving alongside Tumbler Ridge.

Principals, vice-principals, school counselors, district resource counselors, Safe Schools are ready to support our schools and families throughout the district.

As the Tumbler Ridge community navigates the difficult days and weeks ahead, our thoughts and support remain with them. In times like these, we are reminded of the importance of caring for each other and coming together in compassion, and solidarity.

-Gary Tymoschuk, Chair, Surrey Board of Education & Mark Pearmain, Superintendent, Surrey Schools

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Below is a comprehensive list of crisis supports, health resources, counselling options and smartphone apps to help students and families in need of support.

Crisis Supports:

  • Kids Help Phone | 1-800-668-6868 (toll free) or text CONNECT to 686868 – Confidential and anonymous telephone and online counselling and referral service for young people up to age 20, available 24/7.
  • Kids Help Phone Online Chat | kidshelpphone.ca – Available Wednesday to Sunday, 3 to 11 p.m. in B.C. to connect you with a Kids Help Phone counsellor, on the web or from a smartphone.
  • Fraser Health Crisis Line | 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444 (toll free) – Trained volunteers provide emotional crisis support 24/7.
  • Short Term Assessment Response Team (START) | 1-844-START 11 (1-844-782-7811) – Provides assessment and intervention services to children and teens (ages 6 to 18) experiencing a mental health crisis. Available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends and holidays, noon to 9 p.m.
  • Mental Health Support Line (24/7 all ages) | 310-6789
  • United Way Centraide | Call 2-1-1 – Information/referral for community, government and social services support.
  • Emergency Mental Health Crisis | Call 9-1-1 – Car 67 Mental Health Police Response
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline | Call 9-8-8
  • Suicide Prevention Crisis Line | 1-800-784-2433
  • Suicide Prevention Education and Counselling (SPEAC) | 604-584- 5811
  • Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service | 604-660-9382 or 1-800-663-1441 (toll free)
  • Kuu-us Crisis Response Services | 1-800-588-8717 (toll free) – Provides 24/7 culturally aware crisis support to Indigenous people in B.C. 
  • Hope for Wellness Help Line | 1-855-242-3310 (toll free) – Offers 24/7 counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Available in French, English, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
  • Métis Crisis Line | 1-833-638-4722 – Provides 24/7 metal health support, including crisis intervention and access to crisis programs.

Child and Youth Mental Health Clinics:

  • Cloverdale | 604-951-5701
  • Guildford | 604-586-2685
  • Newton | 604-501-3122
  • North Surrey | 604-951-5960
  • South Surrey / White Rock | 604-542-3900

Other Resources:

  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre | keltymentalhealth.ca – Resources for students, families and educators.
  • Foundry BC | foundrybc.ca – Offers young people ages 12 to 24 health and wellness resources, services and supports-online and through integrated services in communities across B.C.
  • Fraser Health Child and Youth Mental Health Resources | fraserhealth.ca 
  • Here to Help | heretohelp.bc.ca 
  • Anxiety Canada | anxietycanada.com 
  • Canadian Mental Health Association | cmha.ca 
  • Mental Health Commission of Canada | mentalhealthcommission.ca 
  • Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support | www.canada.ca
      

Counselling:

  • BC Association of Clinical Counsellors| 1-800-909-6303 or bc-counsellors.org
  • BC Psychological Association | psychologists.bc.ca 
  • DIVERSEcity – Multicultural Counselling Services | 604-597-0205 or dcrs.ca 
  • Sources Community Resource Centre | 604-531-6226 or sourcesbc.ca – Provides support for individuals and families.
  • Peace Arch Hospice Society | 604-531-7484 or peacearchhospice.org – Offers grief counselling.
  • Alex House | 604-535-0015 or alexhouse.net
  • Together White Rock / South Surrey | together-wr.com 
  • Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Services | 604-586-4200
  • FRAFCA (Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association) | frafca.org
      

Apps & Mindfulness Recordings 

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School District No.36 (Surrey)