Resources

Journey Middle School Counsellor: Chelsea Lajeunesse: clajeunesse@sd62.bc.ca

Hi Journey Families and Students,

I’m Chelsea Lajeunesse, the school counsellor at Journey. I was born and raised in Sooke and I am a past Journey student myself! I love this community and helping others. Before becoming a school counsellor, I taught in the middle school grades for five years. It’s such a fun age to be around! My main role at the school is supporting students and families in any way needed. This includes helping students through difficult life situations, transitions, friendship or family challenges, grief and loss, big feelings, mental health concerns, teaching coping skills, etc.

Referrals – Students can self-refer by leaving a request-slip in my mailbox (outside of my office door) or asking their teacher/parent/guardian to email/call with a request to see me.

Wait Times – With over 500 students in the school, wait times can be long! It may take up to a few weeks for students to be called down. There are no set appointment times as urgent matters take priority during the school day. If on-going or longer term counselling is needed, students and families are encouraged to seek outside of school counselling.

Confidentiality – All meetings with students are confidential. During our first meeting, students will be explained confidentiality and informed consent and will be reminded of it during each of our sessions. This means that anything we talk about is not shared with anyone else, unless there’s a safety or harm concern, or they give permission for what we discussed to be shared.

Resources for Students and Families:

Online Resources:

Anxiety – www.anxietycanada.com
- Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – parenting program for anxiety
Bullying – www.erasebullying.ca (info and online reporting tool)
Mental Health – https://teenmentalhealth.org/
Health, Wellness, Services & Support – www.foundrybc.ca
Substance Use – parent resource sheet
Self-Injury – www.keltymentalhealth.ca/self-injury
Grief and Loss – www.learningthroughloss.org/resources
Family Changes – Parents guide to separation and divorce
Parenting Programs – https://bgcsvi.org/programs/parenting/

Local Mental Health and Family Services:

Youth Health Clinic @ EMCS (Island Health Wellness Centre) – appointments and drop in for health services up to age 25.
- Wednesdays – Public health nurse available every week 9:30-12pm and physician available 12-3pm (once per month – call for availability).
- 250-519-3580 for appointments
Youth Services – Sooke Family Resource Society (SFRS) – 250-642-5152
Youth outreach and counselling services
Support for families

Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Services
Sooke 250-642-7748, Mental Health Clinic every Thursday 9:00am to 11:00am
- Westshore 250-391-2223, Mental Health Clinic every Tuesday 9:00am to 12:00pm and Thursday 12:00pm to 3:00pm
- Indigenous Services 250-952-4073. Ask for an Intake worker
CYMH High Risk Services (Suicidal crisis concerns) – 250-952-5073
- Students can self-refer to this service
- A clinician will contact you to schedule first appointment within 72 hours
Pacific Centre Family Services (Sooke and Westshore) 250-940-4373
- Counselling services, youth programs, and family support services
- Sooke Transition House Society
- PEACE Program – free counselling services for youth who have experienced or witnessed violence.
Eating Disorders Program (Victoria) 250-387-0000. Call to schedule intake.
Discovery Youth and Family Substance Use Services (Island Health) – 250-519-5313 (Ext. 34345). Call for intake services.
- Youth aged 13 to 19 who have concerns about alcohol or other drug use
- Youth who are affected by someone else’s use of alcohol or other drugs
- Provides counselling services for students and families
Youth Empowerment Society (YES) 250-383-3514
- Provides outreach counselling services
Foundry Victoria 1-833-308-6379
- Virtual drop-in counselling for individuals aged 12-24 and their families
- Sessions through chat, voice only calls or video calls

Help Lines:

Kids Help Phone Text: 686868 Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week)
YouthSpace.ca or Text 778-783-0177 (6pm-midnight, 7 days/week)
- Provides online crisis and emotional support
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line 1-888-494-3888 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
- Call, text, or online chat options

Other Services and Supports:

Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) – 250-363-2640
- Counselling support, support with deployment, support for parents
Grief Support – Learning Through Loss – 250-413-3114
- Grief education, support, and short-term counselling for youth and families
- Multicultural Outreach Services – 250-952-5073 call to schedule intake