What is school based mental health counseling?
Please click here to be connected to the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) explanation of school based mental health counseling.
What are the limits to school based counseling?
School based mental health professionals are tasked with providing mental health and wellness opportunities for all students. We are available to consult with teachers and families, facilitate classroom lessons focused on mental health, facilitate small group counseling as appropriate, and provide individual counseling for students on a short term basis. Our goal is to address the mental health needs of students as related to their education. For families that are seeking long term counseling or mental health resources for challenges not related to a student's education, we are happy to consult with you and to refer you and your family to resources in the community or please call Care Solace at (888)515-0595. Care Solace provides 24/7/365 mental health care coordination services for Nevada County and can connect you directly with mental health providers in our community.
How can I refer my student to a school counselor?
Please click here to be directed to our mental health staff directory. You can contact the counselors on your campus directly, or feel free to talk to you Supervision Teacher who can connect you with mental health professionals on each campus.
Does my student need permission to see a school counselor?
School Based Mental Health Professionals are considered part of each student's education team. Therefore, if students meet with counselors once, twice, or on an occasional basis, permission from parents may not be required. However, if a student is under the age of 12, and is requesting ongoing or regular mental health check-ins, our counselors will reach out to parents and guardians for permission prior to treatment. In addition, we feel that parents and families are an integral part of a student's support system. Therefore, it is typically in a student's best interest to have parents and counselors work together as a team in order to support student needs.
I would like to find a mental health provider outside of school for my student or a family member. Can school counselors help with this?
School counselors are available to make referrals for mental health support in the community. Or, you can call Care Solace directly at (888)515-0595. Care Solace provides 24/7/365 mental health care coordination services for Nevada County and can connect you directly with mental health providers in our community.
What is Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS)?
For students receiving special education services who have also completed an assessment that shows social, emotional, or behavioral challenges are keeping a student from accessing their education, a student's special education team may choose to add Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) as a related service on an IEP. ERMHS services are dependent on a student's level of needs and may be delivered to students through individual counseling, group counseling, or several other options based on a students specific needs and goals. Students are not able to access ERMHS without an IEP, or as a stand alone service on an IEP.
What should I do if I am concerned about my student's mental health?
A major clue that a child may be struggling is a change in their behavior. For instance, when children who are usually energetic start sleeping more and complaining of tiredness, they might be feeling sad or anxious. But as with many signs of stress, there may be a developmental or medical cause as well, so many families have found it helpful to talk with a medical doctor to rule these things out. It is also important to note that anxiety, depression, and distress can manifest differently in children than adults, such as:
Not engaging in classes when they normally participate
Unusual trouble managing their emotions
Lack of interest in things they used to enjoy
Trouble paying attention
complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical aches and pains
Other children might have changes in appetite, complain of tiredness or display more extreme introversion or extroversion when they are struggling. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, start by reaching out to a trusted teacher or coach, or other trusted adults. Teachers and other staff spend hours with children every day and, after parents and guardians, may be the most likely to notice troubling behavioral changes.
The school mental health professionals will generally want to meet with parents or students privately to assess how they are doing and to determine whether they need ongoing therapy or some other type of support. They may recommend additional counseling sessions, some things to try at home, or they may refer your child for therapy outside the school. These steps frequently require parental consent. If this happens, the school provider can maintain communication with you and the outside therapist.
School mental health providers stress the value of contacting your child’s doctor. In addition to being able to run tests to rule out medical issues, your child’s doctor may be able to provide insight into possible developmental changes.
If you have additional questions or concerns about your student, please feel free to reach out to our mental health team anytime.
*The information above has been quoted and modified from an article in U.S. News called Understanding School Based Mental-Health Services by Kate Rix. Click here to be linked to the original article.