What Do Counsellors Do? Enhance students' mental, social & educational development Assist with the development of an enabling school culture Empower students toward positive change

School Counsellors Provide Individual counselling Group counselling Class work ~ teaching Advocacy for students Increase awareness regarding mental health issues/disorders Support to teachers and parents

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Canada is a signatory, states that every child has: the right to survival the right to develop to the fullest the right to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation, and the right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.” School Counsellors Foster the Rights of the Child

Current lifestyles & negative social situations create the need for more school counselling

Unfortunately many students are in situations that: Compromise their ability to develop to the fullest Are exposed to harmful influences, abuse and exploitation, and Are unable to participate fully in family, cultural and social life

This is just one reason why school counsellors are needed in schools

Counsellors Help Students

Youth Mental Health Is imperative for student success in school Can effect the graduation rate

12% of youth seriously considered suicide More than 1 in 5 females and 1 in 10 males had deliberately self harmed (cut or injured themselves) without the intention of committing suicide Relationship violence has not decreased since % of students deal with pregnancy Binge drinking is increasing McCreary 2008 Report on Youth…

Concerning Canadian Statistics Youth crime rates have risen 3% An estimated 788,000 children under 18 lived in low- income families 36,895 children and youth in Canada under age 18 reported to police that they had been physically or sexually assaulted 9,954 divorces in BC in 2005 These have a negative impact on student well-being & success at school

Today’s social ills-violence, poverty, peer & family conflict & drug use-affect children & youth in schools As a result many have emotional, social, & personal problems that significantly impair their ability to learn & to relate positively with others It is estimated that 20% of children & adolescents in Canada have developmental, psychological, and/or mental health problems

Financial Considerations School counselling programs are cost-effective, preventive medicine. Unfortunately in a time of financial constraints, counselling positions are often the first targets of budget cuts & staff reductions

Counselling More Important in Tough Economic Conditions Have lost this article. Need to check my computer at work.

Out of the Shadows at Last Key Recommendations from Senator Kirby’s Report What School Counsellors Could Do: Seamless service delivery for children & youth If counsellors had the time & resources, we could provide this seamless service Interventions need to be in-schoolsIf we had more Masters trained school counsellors in our schools we could increase the number of interventions Early intervention is important to limit negative impact of mental health on both the child & family If elementary counsellors were based at only one school, this recommendation could be met

Now is the time to take action Mental health problems among children and youth have increased in recent years and are predicted to increase by 50% by the year Mental health problems inflict a huge social and economic burden on society. They deprive individuals of quality of life and happiness (missed educational, job and personal opportunities, broken relationships, stigma and discrimination).

Why Counselling is Worthwhile Research demonstrates that school counselling services can: Help to prevent violent & disruptive behaviour Improve academic achievement & school attendance Prepare students for successful transition into the world of work

Society & the government need to understand the importance of funding programs for prevention & early intervention that address students’ emotional, social, personal and learning problems.

Challenges Facing Counsellors Not enough counselling time Lack of resources Seems like more and more students need help Finding time to connect with other counsellors Time restraints Large caseloads

What School Counsellors need in order to provide more efficient support to students and schools Smaller counsellor: student ratios Decreased teaching responsibilities at the high school level Time to meet with other counsellors within school district for difficult case consultations Resources for elementary school counsellors (designated office space, sand tables, puppets, art supplies etc) to assist with successful interventions

Why More Counselling Time is Imperative So that I can be better prepared for life after high school So I can learn strategies to improve my mental health So that I can learn how to deal with my anxiety So that I can learn how to deal with my anger So I have someone to talk to that I can trust & they will not judge me So that I can learn how to learn & increase my self -esteem

Together we can make a difference