School counselors ID “critical deficit” in the students' mental health crisis

Key points:

The majority (94 percent) of school counselo Catapult learningA provider of academic, behavioral and mental health interventions based on evidence for K-12 schools.

The survey of 500 school counselors of US K-12 presented critical challenges to address the youth mental health crisis in schools. It was made by Wakefield Research in collaboration with Sharon Hoover, Ph.D., co -director of the National Mental Health Center of the School.

The data revealed a generalized agreement that early and objective support is essential to address the growing youth mental health crisis. Higher conclusions include:

• The vast majority (96 percent) agreed that too many students are being pushed into level 3 interventions when they would be better served through previous identification and intervention before their challenges reach a level of crisis
• Almost two thirds (63 percent) said they lack additional time and the necessary resources to provide adequate support for students fighting with level 2 needs
• Ninety percent of the counselors reported that concerns about their students' mental health significantly affect their own well -being, which leads to work long hours and lose sleep; In fact, 64 percent felt more stressed for their ability to support students compared to the last school year.

“These findings highlight the systemic challenges faced by school counselors, including limited time for the support of students' mental health and personal exhaustion,” said Erica Fener Sitekoff, Ph.D., Clinical Director of Catapult Learning. “It is clear that level 2 interventions are the key to addressing the mental health crisis in schools. By providing specific support before students reach a level of crisis, we can encourage resilience, improve academic results and reduce the long -term negative impact on students and families. “

The mental health challenges faced by the young people today have been described as a crisis by the main experts. In 2023, the United States General Surgeon called Mental Health in children's decline “The crisis of our time” citing rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.

Recent CDC data He revealed that almost 1 in 3 teenagers seriously considered suicide in 2021, marking a 60 percent increase in the last decade. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association declared a national state of emergency In child and adolescent mental health, underlining the urgent need for systemic solutions to support young people before their struggles intensify.

What do the directors most need?

The survey highlighted specific tools and strategies that counselors need to support students and administer the growing mental health demands:

• More than half (56 percent) said that having better tools to identify students at risk is a priority
• The sixty -three percent emphasized the importance of specific interventions for students with level 2 needs
• The sixty -four percent indicated the need for reliable ways to measure the impact of interventions, demonstrating that the directors want programs that are effective and based on data

“As mental health challenges among young people continue to grow, their imperative schools are equipped with the necessary tools and strategies to implement level 2 interventions effectively,” said Hoover. “These include directed advice, training based on stress management skills and programs that train students to administer their well -being before reaching a point of crisis.”

This press release Originally appeared online.

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