Addressing Mental Health in Schools Part II

Part 1 on this topic dove into the intricacies of the mental health issues that are running rampant throughout our school districts. Part II will look into actionable steps and other opportunities to combat this rising tide. 

Counseling

Addressing the mental health crisis is critical for multiple reasons. If we start approaching this issue with a proactive mindset, we can help ensure that our students will thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. One way that we can approach these concerns after we learn about them is through counseling. Both individual and group counseling can play significant roles in helping to meet the needs of students. They offer distinct benefits and help to address different aspects of mental health.

Though each has its place in developing appropriate skills, to effectively address these issues, schools should integrate both as part of their mental health program. For example, offering individual counseling for students with more severe or specific issues WHILE providing group counseling for those who benefit from peer support will allow you to utilize a holistic approach to the student’s struggles. The different approaches complement each other to create a robust mental health framework that can help students navigate their challenges and succeed in both their personal and academic lives. 

Collaboration

Addressing mental health in schools needs more than a one-sided approach. It requires collaboration between the school and the community. We know that this collaboration is incredibly important for numerous reasons. Mental health can affect student’s academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Utilizing a collaborative model, we can ensure that students are getting comprehensive support both within and outside the school.  Here are some key ways to help:

• Involving Families in the Process:
  1. 1. Open Communication: School Psychologists can maintain regular communication with families, updating them on the student’s progress and creating a pipeline for communication about any concerns or recent developments. 
     2. Education and Resources: As an educational institution, we should be providing families with consistent information about different issues, not just mental health. These can include coping strategies and other resources to help empower parents to support their children. 
     3. Home Support Plans: A less used strategy is creating home support plans to help parents in the household. These might include specific coping techniques, routines, or behavioral strategies. 

• Partnerships with Community Resources:
  1. 1. Community Mental Health Agencies: Establish relationships with local mental health agencies. Collaboration with outside groups may help in providing more efficient wrap-around services.
     2. Non-Profit Organizations: Many non-profit organizations offer programs and services that can benefit students and their families. These can include after-school programs, mentoring, and family counseling.

• Comprehensive Support Networks:
  1. 1. Integrated Care: By working together, school psychologists, families, and surrounding communities can create a seamless support network for our students. This approach ensures that we give our students the best possible opportunity to be successful. 
     2. Crisis intervention: In times of crisis, having a pre-established connection with community resources means that students can receive timely and coordinated support. This is crucial. 

Resilience and Coping Skills

Now our students must have a sound and solid foundation to help ensure that their mental health is supported and healthy. There will be times when they are challenged and there must be a first line of defense. As educators, there are multiple different ways we can help promote resilience and teach those coping skills. For instance, we can teach mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and individualized strategies. These can help manage stress and help them stay present. We can also encourage them to take up stress-reduction activities outside of school. Hobbies such as journaling, art, or physical activities can help anybody relieve stress and express their emotions in healthy ways!

As School Psychologists, we can create an environment that is inclusive and educational by providing psychological and skill-building opportunities. Those can be as simple as a 15-minute presentation that focuses on stress management, coping strategies, and resilience building. It is recommended that these sessions be tailored to different age groups and the needs of those groups. School Psychologists can also impact on a more micro level by going into the different classrooms and integrating lessons on mental health and coping skills into the student’s curriculum. 

Our students need to understand that healthy coping skills can help them when stress or anxiety triggers occur. They can then start to prepare for their physical and emotional responses. The first step is helping them develop healthy outlets for their emotions. These can be as simple as talking to a trusted adult, engaging in a hobby, or doing a physical activity. This first step can also lead to the growth of a support network. By promoting a support system, students can know who they can turn to for help and encouragement. These can be peers, teachers, mentors, school counselors, school psychologists, or other community members. This all helps develop a growth mindset, which can then lead to students seeing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. 

Professional Development and Self-Care for School Psychologists

All of this is increasingly demanding in our current school environment. Because of this, it requires continuous professional growth and self-care. Now the next question is how we can support ourselves and each other. Here are some thoughts:

• Staying Informed:
  1. 1. Current Trends: Attending regular training and workshops can help psychologists stay updated on the latest research, techniques, and best practices in mental health.
     2. Informed Skills: Advanced training and courses can enable psychologists to acquire new skills that will help support students with a wide, diverse set of needs.
     3. Collaboration Skills: Training in different consultation techniques enhances school psychologists’ ability to work with other evaluators, families, teachers, and different community leaders. 

• Recognizing Burnout
  1. 1. Signs of Burnout: Be aware of different symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and decreased effectiveness. This can (obviously) negatively impact the quality of care provided to students.

• Strategies for Self-Care
  1. 1. Mindfulness and Relaxation: Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques can help reduce stress.
     2. Work-Life Balance: Setting boundaries (Go Read This Article!) between work and personal life is essential to maintain mental and emotional well-being.
     3. Peer Support: Engaging and utilizing other school psychologists allows us to share our experiences and receive emotional support. 

• Resources and Support Systems
  1. 1. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): The NASP website offers resources, training, and different conferences for continuous professional development. 
     2. Look at Local Organizations: Most states have an association for school psychologists to be a part of. Look at what they have for the year as far as networking, workshops, conferences, and different resources that are specific to your region.

Addressing mental health in schools requires a comprehensive approach that includes individual and group counseling, collaboration with families and community resources, and promoting resilience and coping skills among students. Individual counseling provides personalized support, while group counseling offers peer interaction and mutual support. Effective collaboration between school psychologists, families, and community resources ensures a holistic support system. Additionally, teaching students resilience and coping mechanisms through psychoeducation and skill-building workshops empowers them to manage stress and adversity. Together, these strategies create a supportive environment that fosters students’ overall well-being and academic success.