WELLNESS

Effective November 1, 2023, the Suicide Crisis Hotline can be reached at 988.

The Vancouver Island Crisis Line provides a supportive listening ear for people in emotional distress and connection to emergency mental health services when needed.  Share this number widely:  1.888.494.3888.

KUU-US Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day for Indigenous people in BC.

• Adults:  250.723.4050
• Youth:  250.723.2040
• Province-wide:  1.800.588.8717

Island Health Crisis Emergency Services

https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services/crisis-emergency-services

If you are lucky enough to have a family doctor, make sure to check-in with them about small health concerns before they get big.

Everyone should be concerned about the family medicine crisis in this province (whether you have a family practitioner or not).  Consider registering as part of the social media campaign to make sure that our elected officials hear that this is a serious concern.

Click here.

For our members of Indigenous identity, this organization is the province-wide health and wellness partner to over 200 First Nations communities and citizens.  Their work is community-based and focusses on health promotion and disease prevention, spanning dental benefits, medical supplies and equipment, medical transportation, mental health, pharmacy, pregnancy and infant care, and vision care.  The services are provided in partnership between Pacific Blue Cross, BC PharmaCare, Indigenous Services Canada, and First Nations organizations.

Click here.

This is the extended health coverage bargained for you by the provincial union.  This is one of the “employer paid benefits” that contract teachers will see on their pay stubs.  The employer is not paying these benefits out of the goodness of their heart --- it was bargained for and has had to be fought for repeatedly.  Some of our members are still waiting for this benefit (contract teachers with less than 0.5FTE and TTOCs).

Each bargaining round there are usually a couple of benefit improvements.  For those members who have worked in different locals, there is some variation in benefit coverage --- a leftover from full-scope local bargaining.

You can look on the Pacific Blue Cross website to see what is covered.  Some of the highlights include:

• Counselling with a registered clinical counsellor, registered social worker, or psychologist 

• Massage therapy 

• Physiotherapy 

• Orthotics 

• Hearing aids 

• Podiatry 

• Travel coverage 

• Eye exams and eyewear

• Dental care

• Orthodontic services

• Prescription drug coverage

The NLPS policy number for teachers is 20068.  Your ID number is your employee number.

Extended Health Benefits (EHB)—If a member is covered by Pacific Blue Cross, the details of their counselling benefits can be found here.

Homewood Health provides coaching, counselling and support for employees and their families.  These services are paid for jointly by the employer and local union.  There are lots of resources available including coaching for life balance and health issues, counselling, and online cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety.

At the NDTA office we often recommend these supports if a member has experienced a critical incident (at school or elsewhere).  The website is https://homeweb.ca/ or you can call direct at 1.800.663.1142.

Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)—A list outlining EFAP providers, by school district, can be found here

This program is funded by the BCTF, and focusses on health and wellness supports for teachers.  You may self-refer for the program or ask a local union released office (Jo Cornthwaite, Megan Simmer or Chris Perrier-Evely) to refer you to the program.  There are various supports available.

Well Teacher Groups

These groups are some time and space to work with colleagues and a trained wellness facilitator.  These groups are available to any BCTF member, and cover topics relating to physical health (pain, fatigue, and ergonomics) and mental health (stressors, relaxation strategies).  The next session starts January 15, 2024!

You can register here:  https://www.bctf.ca/topics/services-information/wellness/attend-a-well-teacher-group---a-free-wellness-workshop-designed-for-teachers

Starling Minds

This is an online mental health and wellness toolkit, especially designed for teachers, that provides education and training to manage stress and prevent anxiety and depression.  It is open to BCTF members and their families.

Find out more and/or register here:  https://www.bctf.ca/topics/services-information/wellness/access-online-mental-health-therapy-(starling-minds)

BCTF Health and Wellness program—Contract teachers can be referred by their local or they can refer themselves. Further details can be found here.

This education program features social-emotional learning and mental health modules for students and educators.  Contact your site’s counsellor to set up an account.