School Based Mental Health Counseling and Student Advocacy Services
What is Mental Health?
Mental Health includes our Emotional, Psychological, and Social Well-Being.
It affects how we think, feel and act.
Mental Health helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Services may include:
- Conducting one-on-one counseling sessions to address specific concerns and provide guidance.
- Facilitating group counseling sessions to enhance social skills, promote peer support, and build a sense of belonging.
- Performing comprehensive assessments to identify mental health needs and develop personalized intervention plans.
- Collaborating closely with teachers and staff to create a nurturing and inclusive school environment.
- Assisting families in accessing community resources and connecting them with appropriate support systems.
Signs That You or Someone You Care About May Need Mental Health Services:
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- Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating or a decline in academic performance.
- Withdrawal from social activities or friends.
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
- Extreme mood swings or intense emotions.
- Engaging in self-destructive behaviors or expressing thoughts of self-harm.
- Experiencing significant life changes or traumatic events.
How Do I Access Student Mental Health Services At School?
*All Counseling Cases Begin With The School Counselor *
*Contact your School Counselor and they will refer students for Mental Heath counseling as needed*
-The Mental Health Counselor will work collaboratively with students, families, and school staff to provide comprehensive support.
Research demonstrates that students who receive social–emotional and mental-behavioral health support achieve better academically. School climate, classroom behavior, engagement in learning, and students' sense of connectedness and well-being all improve as well. Since the students are served at their school their attendance is not affected and the counselor is able to work with the student if needed in the classroom.
Fast Facts
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
Posts
- Name
- Lee Ann Hutto, LCSW
- Position
- District Student Advocacy Specialist/Mental Health Therapist