By Justina Schlund and Amanda Fitzgerald
Stress is nothing new to school counselors. But as they continue to shoulder the tremendous responsibility of helping young people heal from the momentous events of the past year and ongoing traumas, education leaders need to renew a focus on school counselors’ well-being. Although nearly all educators are experiencing heightened stress and anxiety, school counselors are often the first ones called in to help address crises and traumatic experiences. As we look to support the mental health of educators, we must also remember the school “helpers” who are often asked to place the needs of students, families, and colleagues before their own.
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is critical to maintaining the mental health and well-being of the school community. Over the last decade, we’ve seen schools and districts increasingly prioritize adult SEL by promoting self-care, supportive staff relationships, and opportunities for reflection and collaboration. This intentional focus combined with structures for additional mental health supports can bolster staff wellness, help prevent secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, and create supportive climates that allow school counselors to bring their full selves to work.
Below, we offer four strategies to promote school counselors’ well-being and mental health.
To Read the article: https://inservice.ascd.org/who...elors-mental-health/
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