Esquimalt High School’s Counsellors are available to help you with personal or academic problems. If you want to change, drop or add a course, you must make an appointment in advance to see a School Counsellor. School Counsellors can also assist with post-secondary planning and transition.
Esquimalt High School’s Counsellor is:
- Vanessa Quast: vquast@sd61.bc.ca
Esquimalt High School’s Youth and Family Counsellors are available to support students with personal issues:
- Bob Beattie: bbeattie@sd61.bc.ca
- Laurel MacKay: lmackay@sd61.bc.ca
Schedule an appointment
**COVID CHANGES**
Due to COVID safety protocols, counsellors will see students BY APPOINTMENT ONLY unless it is an emergency or immediate safety concern.
Due to the volume of referrals- if you do not hear back from a counsellor within 48 hours- please contact one of our administrators.
Students: You can email a counsellor directly. Counsellors make every effort to see students during elective blocks or non-instructional time.
Parents/Guardians: To request a counselling appointment please email one of the counsellors listed above directly, or call the school’s main office at 250-382-9226. If you have a Gmail account, you may use the link on this page to access our Google request form.
Helpful Websites
Looking for information about physical, emotional and mental health for youth? Check out these useful links:
- Greater Victoria’s Online Youth Portal www.youthcore.ca: This site provides numerous information and useful links for youth.
- www.bcfit.org: Divorce, separation and custody disputes.
- Where to call for Help Brochure 2018-2019
General Health
- Island Sexual Health Society www.islandsexualhealth.org: Information about birth control and safe sex.
- www.youthspace.ca: Online support chat room for youth.
Mental Health
- Canadian Mental Health Association www.cmha.ca.
- Resources for Responding to Trauma and Tragedy: Edutopia collection of resources
- www.psychosissucks.ca: Provides information about psychosis.
- www.openthedoors.com: Provides information about schizophrenia.
- BC Schizophrenia Society www.reachoutpsychosis.com: includes a parent education component.
- www.keltymentalhealth.ca: Mental Health Resource and organization
- Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia www.mdabc.net
- Mind Your Mind http://mindyourmind.ca/ A Canadian website for youth by youth providing resources to help manage stress, and mental health issues. Includes personal stories, coping tools, music and a blog.
- Mind Check http://www.mindcheck.ca/ A Canadian website focused on prevention and early intervention of mental health challenges in youth. Contains information, quizzes and resources.
- Victoria Suicide Prevention Booklet_youth
- Where to call for Help Brochure 2018-2019
Anxiety
- Anxiety Disorders Association www.anxietybc.com
- AnxietyBC Youth http://www.youth.anxietybc.com/: Information on common problem related to anxiety, cognitive behavioural therapy, sleep strategies, tools, stories, videos and resources.
- Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada http://anxietycanada.ca/english/youth/index.htm Information on anxiety disorders, those affected, treatment options, and how to help oneself or a friend.
- KidsHealth http://kidshealth.org/teen | Search for “anxiety” A US-based website providing general health and healthy living information for kids, teens, and parents, including information on causes, related issues, coping skills, and more.
- Teen Mental Health http://teenmentalhealth.org/understanding-mental-health/mental-disorders A Canadian website with evidence-based information on teen mental health, including anxiety. The site has a number of videos explaining different types of anxiety.