President's Letter: Supporting Our Youth with Protective Factors

As school counselors, we face daily obstacles in supporting our students' mental health and well-being. With rising concerns about adolescent risky behavior, it’s crucial to identify and strengthen protective factors that can foster resilience and promote healthier choices for the students we serve.

Understanding Protective Factors

Protective factors are characteristics or conditions that help individuals cope with stress and adversity. In the context of adolescent development, these factors can mitigate risks associated with substance use and mental health crises. They act as shields, reducing vulnerability to risky behaviors, and enhancing overall development.

Examples of Protective Factors

1. Strong family connections: A supportive family environment is one of the most significant protective factors for adolescents. Encouraging family involvement in school events and encouraging open dialogue can help strengthen these connections. At my school, we encourage family–school engagement in a variety of events such as open house, twice a year student-led conferences, community pep rallies and career speaker events.
2. Positive peer relationships: Healthy friendships are vital during adolescence. Encouraging participation in peer-led activities, clubs and athletics can help students form positive relationships that reinforce healthy behaviors.
3. Engagement in school: Students who feel connected to their school are less likely to engage in drug use and are more resilient to mental health challenges. Creating an engaging curriculum, offering a variety of extracurricular activities and promoting a sense of belonging can enhance students’ attachment to their school community. We want all students to belong!
4. Access to mental health resources: Providing students with access to mental health support is crucial. In Kansas, this can look significantly different from one community to another. It is vital that you know what resources are available in your community and to have a pool of resources identified before you need it. Consider collaborating annually with your school psychologist, school social worker, health staff and admin team to know what is available in your specific community.
5. Community involvement: Strong community partnerships can promote protective factors. Collaborating with local organizations, businesses, and health services can create a network of support for families and students. Initiatives that promote community engagement and awareness can help reinforce positive behaviors and create a safety net for at-risk youth.

Promoting Protective Factors in Kansas Schools

As school counselors, we have the opportunity to advocate for and implement programs that naturally promote protective factors within our schools. By focusing on protective factors, we can create a more nurturing environment that not only reduces the risks of drug use, vaping and suicide but also fosters resilience and well-being among our youth.

Let us work together to empower our students, provide opportunities for meaningful connections, and cultivate a culture of support in our schools. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Kansas youth!

Contact Chelcie Heitman, KSCA president, at chelcie@kansasschoolcounselor.org.

For more information, please see this article from the CDC on school connectedness. Let’s continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our students! Want to get connected with KSCA? Check out our website!