Category: Updates
Faculty
Dr. Magdalena Janus named Sunny Hill BC Leadership Chair in Child Development
HELP and the Faculty of Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. Magdalena Janus, an internationally-renowned developmental scientist, has joined UBC as the Sunny Hill BC Leadership Chair in Child Development.
News
HELP 2025 Year in Review: Strengthening Partnerships, Expanding Knowledge, and Supporting Child Well-Being
2025 brought exciting growth to our community: from new faculty to impactful reports, community-engaged research, and renewed momentum as we head into HELP’s 25th anniversary year.
News
New research reveals decline in B.C. kindergarteners developmental health after pandemic
A new report from HELP reveals that more than one in three kindergarten children in B.C. are entering school with challenges in one or more core areas of development—a rate higher than ever recorded in the province.
Faculty
Welcoming New Faculty to HELP: Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen and Dr. Hali Kil
HELP is pleased to welcome two outstanding scholars to our community: Dr. Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen and Dr. Hali Kil. Their expertise and commitment to advancing research that supports children and families will strengthen HELP’s mission to improve early development outcomes across British Columbia and beyond.
News
Scholar Profile: Dr. Monique Gagné Petteni
With a passion for large-scale linked data, Dr. Monique Gagné Petteni is advancing research to support children’s well-being across the lifespan.
Events
Children in the Middle Years: New MDI Data, Research & Resources
This National Child Day, HELP presents a webinar exploring MDI data collected in the 2024-25 school year, including trends in well-being, screens and sleep, as well as new questions on the student survey including mental health service use.
Events
Early Years Disrupted: EDI Data Trends
Join us for a webinar on November 3, focusing on the developmental health of kindergarten children in BC and beyond. Experts will present EDI data trends pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, and ongoing social and economic influences.
Indigenous
Reconciliation Through Institutional Training
In preparation for this upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) held a 3-part learning series on the history and ongoing effects of the residential school system, as well as possible future paths to move forward. Members of the HELP team were invited to participate and reflect on the series throughout the month.
Faculty
Dr. Daniel Bernstein Joins HELP as Affiliate Faculty Member
After receiving his PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Simon Fraser University, Dr. Bernstein completed his post-doctoral training at the University of Washington and now holds the position of Research Chair in Lifespan Cognition from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU).
Data in Action
From Data to Action: Supporting Mental Health and Well-being in BC Schools
With wide-spread concern about declining trends in the mental health and well-being of youth over the last decade, our latest Data in Action story highlights the work of a dedicated team of experts helping school districts strengthen mental health promotion in BC schools.