Counselor Corner

Click on our logo to access the BHMS Counseling Department webpage!

Ragan Hudson, 6th Grade School Counselor

Welcome 6th graders! I am honored to serve as your grade level school counselor as you begin your adventure at Beacon Hill. Together, we are embarking on an important (and fun!) journey: middle school. Remember, we are all here to support you-- the world is tough at times but guess what? SO. ARE. YOU.

Students, look for me in your classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, and all around BHMS this year and know that I always have an open door policy. Come by my office (Room #2203) to say hello, take a break, or seek support. I cannot wait to meet each of you. Welcome (new) Bulldogs!

Students, need to connect?

Ms. Hudson's Counseling Referral Form

I am available to support you anytime. Ask for a pass from your teacher, stop by my office in between classes, before or after school, or click on the link above and complete our BHMS Counseling Referral Form. I will respond to your request as soon as I am available (but no longer than 48 business hours).

If this is a mental health emergency, please reach out to a trusted adult, dial 9-8-8, or contact one of the resources outlined below (see, "In crisis? There is always help") to get help for you or someone you know in a crisis.

News This Week!

GMAS is Here!

Check out THESE test taking strategies geared especially for middle school students.

April is Stress Awareness Month

April is stress awareness month but don’t stress! According to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, there are little things we can all do to help address our stress and support our overall well being.

Counselors Receive DEF Grant to Attend State Conference

We are excited to share that the school counselors were recently awarded the Teacher Innovation Grant from the Decatur Education Foundation (DEF). This generous support from DEF allowed us to attend the Georgia School Counselors Association (GSCA) Conference in Savannah from November 6-8. The conference was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with other counselors across the state, learn about the latest trends and best practices in school counseling, and bring back ideas to enrich our school community.

Some sample sessions we attended include:

Building Resiliency
Staff Mental Health
Changing the Anxiety Conversation: Collaborating with Classroom Teachers
Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
Engaging Adolescent Boys
Understanding and Coping with Addiction in Adolescents

We are so grateful to DEF for making this possible, and we look forward to sharing what we learn and putting it into action.

Thank you for your continued support of school counselors and the Decatur Education Foundation!

How do I know if I or someone I know needs help?

In CRISIS? There is always help.

Crisis Text Line:

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor

How it works: Text from anywhere in the US, anytime. This text line is for ANY crisis. A live, trained crisis counselor will receive your text and will respond within seconds.

Georgia Crisis & Access Line

Call 1-800-715-4225 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or download the MYGCAL app to text or chat with a caring professional.

The Trevor Project:

Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ students and young people.

How it works: Call the Trevor line at 1-866-488-7386, access TrevorChat via www.trevorproject.org, or access TrevorChat by texting START to 678-678 to connect with a counselor 24/7.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Dial 9-8-8 to access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline!

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and is now active across the United States. *When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

Meet your BHMS Counseling Department!