From the Chair: Supporting Students' Mental Health

School counselors may find themselves on the front lines of the mental health needs of students. As we develop and implement a comprehensive program based on the unique needs of our school population, we must also know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental distress and where to go for support. At times, our most vulnerable students with mental health needs do not get the help they need. What can we do? 

• Involve the family. Speak with the parents to overcome possible barriers in understanding and resources and address any negative stigma related to accessing mental health support.
• Know your local resources. Ask local agencies to partner with you to share information with parents and staff on mental health needs. Include educating parents and staff on common mental health issues and resources as a part of your school counseling program.
• Use the resources within your school. Ask the school psychologist, school social worker and behavior support personnel, including the principal and assistant principal, for recommendations and intervention. Use the recommendations of this team of professionals to support the needs of the family and the student.
• Know the resources within your school district. Consult with district school counseling support and contact local mental health agencies connected to your district. The large school district where I work has the benefit of having a community partnership to provide mental health services through Full Service schools. If a student attends school where a Full Service facility is located, the student can easily be referred and seen for counseling with parental permission. If the student does not attend a school with a facility and they cannot drive, they are dependent on parents or caregivers for transportation to the local facility for mental health services.
• Know when to call to 911 or the crisis hotline. In an emergency situation when there is concern that a student may harm himself/herself or others, a call must be made to support the student and the school. Be familiar with the questions asked so that you have the information available (student name, student address, parents’ names, contact numbers, details of the current situation). 
• Ask for a wellness check by local police authorities. If you are worried about a student who is not in school, make a non-emergency call to the local police and ask them to check on the student. 
• Make a referral to the Department of Children and Families. If repeated attempts to refer a student for further mental health support are ignored, consider making a referral to the Department of Children and Families for support for the student.

According to the ASCA position statement “The School Counselor and Student Mental Health,” school counselors “are uniquely qualified to provide education, prevention, intervention and referral services to students and their families.” Knowing options to support student mental health needs will help us as we endeavor to meet our professional responsibility to support the academic, career and social/emotional development of all students.
 
Contact Beth Jenkins, M.Ed., FSCA Governing Board Chair, at president@fl-schoolcounselor.org.