Guidance
October 28, 2024
We are your Guidance team
Michelle Bevan – Grades 8, 10, 12
Megan Donald – Grades 7, 9, 11
Karen Chercoe - LAL Students
Feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions you may have. We look forward to getting to know you. Our office space welcomes all students. Feel free to use it to write a test, finish your homework, or take a chill moment.
Resource List
WSD Healthy minds
- Mental Health and wellness resources
- WSD resources guide
Manitoba 211 for comprehensive list of resources in Winnipeg and beyond: https://mb.211.ca/
Mental Health Resource Guide for Winnipeg 2020: Comprehensive list of resources from shelter to therapy to support groups to New Canadian and Indigenous resources: https://mbwpg.cmha.ca/resources/mental-health-resource-guide-for-winnipeg/
MYS Kids Help Phone: Macdonald Youth Services and Kids Help Phone combine to provide mental health care and shelter to youth across the province. Community Resources directory available for youth mental health supports, counselling, sexual health supports, housing, legal supports, job help and more.
- https://www.mys.ca/kidshelpphone
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text: 686868
CRISIS LINES
Mobile Crisis Unit (24 hr intake): 204-949-4777
Centralized Intake: 204-958-9660
Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30, Phone: 204-988-7440
Email: info@manitobaadvocate.ca @ 346 Portage Ave, Unit 100, Winnipeg
Guidance Counsellors Play Vital Role
When it comes to working with students in schools, guidance counsellors do it all - supporting the personal, social, educational, career development, mental health and general well-being of students.
"The primary goal of school counselling services is to enhance the well-being and academic achievement of our students," said Jón Olafson, WSD's Student Services Consultant. "School counsellors not only provide support to our students, but also the families and sometimes even staff. When you sum it all up, school counsellors are an integral part of a school-based student support team, which includes the principal, vice-principals, resource teachers, clinicians, and other support staff."
WSD Counsellors from different schools frequently connect for professional development and to discuss policy; they frequently collaborate with external agencies and organizations for professional development, or for special events and programming for students.
"As much as counsellors may sometimes be engaged in reactive work, the goal is always towards doing preventative work with classroom or group sessions," Mr. Olafson said.
Despite the numerous tasks guidance counsellors perform on a daily basis, they all connect in the larger picture of student health and well-being. And that, in turn, leads to greater student academic success.
"When you are feeling grounded, safe and well-cared for, we notice a dramatic increase in student's academics and engagement," Mr. Olafson said.
Taken from article “Guidance Counsellors Play Vital Role” posted February 8, 2021 in preparation for WSD 150 celebrations, on WSD website https://www.winnipegsd.ca/_ci/p/9221