Small Group Offerings
The following are small groups that the Counseling Department at SHS will offer to students this semester. A support group is a gathering of people facing common issues to share what's troubling them. Through the sharing of experiences, they're able to offer support, encouragement, and comfort to the other group members, and receive the same in return. Maybe you can help someone through your participation in a group!
Groups will meet 6 - 8 times for 25 minutes during zero block.
If you are interested, please complete the form and I will get back to you. Mr. Thompson, School Counselor
Managing Your Stress Group - Feeling stressed? Anxious? … feeling overwhelmed and out of control? This group will focus on learning more effective ways to manage yourself in stressful situations.
Personal Growth Group - This group will focus on students who may be struggling with self-esteem and confidence. Any student that wishes to improve upon themself in any way is invited to attend.
Experiencing Loss Group - “Loss” does not have to mean death but could mean moving away from home, family changes (divorce or loosing a job), etc. Students who are dealing with a loss or death in their family or friends are encouraged to attend this group.
I'm Graduating!?! HELP!!! - (This group is offered only for seniors.) Has the thought of graduating been stressing you out? This group will help you develop coping mechanisms to deal with the stress of being a senior, as well as provide you with strategies for making the transition to college as successful as possible.
Do you have any ideas for other groups? If there is another issue/skill/etc., that you would like to explore in a group format OR think others could benefit from, please let me know
Counselor
Want to schedule a meeting with Mr. Thompson? Go to:
Social/Emotional Health
Besides working with students with Academic issues (e.g. course planning) and Career planning, School Counselors have training to assist students with Personal/Social and Emotional Concerns. Often, people in the building will have concerns about a student but they won’t know where to turn for help. So, I’ve created a form you can use to let me know of concerns you may have for a student at Solon HS.
*If you are a staff member and you have concerns about a student, you can refer students by using this form SE/Referral Form (Staff).
*Students, if you have a concern and are unsure how to report your concern, you can communicate your concerns with me through this form. SE/Referral Form (Student Form). Students, if you use this form, you can choose to complete it anonymously.
Mike Thompson, Counselor
How to make your day more enjoyable and more productive.
1. Get up. Don’t hit the snooze button. Doing so confuses your mind and your body.
2. Get outside. Doing so can increase your creativity and your happiness. Time spent outside can help you feel more alert and at ease later in the day.
3. Exercise. It makes you more productive throughout the day, increases energy levels and helps with your sleeping patterns.
4. Drink water. It gets your metabolism going.
5. Eat breakfast. Eating within one hour of waking up boosts your metabolism, helps wake you up and regulates your eating habits for the rest of the day.
6. Stretch. Stretching will wake up your body, improve energy and productivity.
(from Harvard Medical School)
Constant stress — whether from a traffic-choked daily commute, unhappy marriage, or heavy workload — can have real physical effects on the body. It has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including mood, sleep, and appetite problems — and yes, even heart disease.
“Stress does cause some people to act in ways that increase their risk for heart disease,” Dr. Bhatt says. For example, when stressed, people often eat unhealthy food and don’t have the energy or time to exercise. Stress can also lead us into other heart-damaging behaviors, such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
Breaking the connection requires both learning to deal with stress and managing unhealthy habits. These five simple tips can help you do just that.
Stay positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.
Meditate. This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation’s close relatives, yoga and prayer, can also relax the mind and body.
Exercise. Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or play tennis, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only melts away stress, it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Unplug. It’s impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid emails and TV news. Take time each day — even if it’s for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.
Find ways to take the edge off your stress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favorite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.