It’s time to begin the Q & A live chat in #SCCHAT! I’ll ask Q1 and you’ll start your response with A1 and so on! Let’s collaborate #hscchat#cscchat#SCCrowd#escchat
Ben Barry, Carlisle Middle School. Checking in after a long day. Night #1 P/T conferences down, one more night to go. Love finishing my day with this chat! #scchat
A1. Great first question, biggest thing we have done is coming up. A night devoted to Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. We are hoping for a great turnout from our parents, students, and community. #scchat
A1. At the beginning of the school year students were told to leave the social media drama at home.
I chimed in that if students are posting about depression or hurting themselves, they should let an adult know. #scchat
#scchat A1" Started a group to promote mental health within our high school - they have created amazing initiates, and major goal is to reduce the stigma - meet regularly and attend city wide meetings and conferences
A1: We have a class period devoted to student advocacy and relationship building, we often use that to do mini lessons on mental health. But really I think the biggest efforts come from connecting students and teachers over mental health through dialogue and support #scchat
A1) We recommend students to be part of a local student advisory through some local agencies. They want Ss input on mental health and issues facing adolescents. #scchat
A1: We have a class period devoted to student advocacy and relationship building, we often use that to do mini lessons on mental health. But really I think the biggest efforts come from connecting students and teachers over mental health through dialogue and support #scchat
Anyone else out there who is interested in a School Counsellor chat is welcome to join in with us in #scchat
Reminder: Don’t forget to include #SCCHAT in your responses
#scchat A1" Started a group to promote mental health within our high school - they have created amazing initiates, and major goal is to reduce the stigma - meet regularly and attend city wide meetings and conferences
A1 In my 1-on-1 students meetings, I just listen. I help students know that their story matters AND their story is not "abnormal". They are not alone. #scchat
#scchat A1" Started a group to promote mental health within our high school - they have created amazing initiates, and major goal is to reduce the stigma - meet regularly and attend city wide meetings and conferences
I love this! Does the group have a name or any type of curriculum guidance? We had this at the university level where I used to work called peer mentors, but I think it would translate so well to secondary and primary ed! #scchat
Yes. We have been doing a lot of promotion for this event. I have a few key parents who are helping push and advertise. There is a lot of talk in our community about need to understand and support mental health. We hope this night helps. We have a lot of agencies on hand. #scchat
A2. That "crazy" people are violent. And mental health issues is what is the root cause of violence in our country. Powerful people saying this, media focusing on this after violent events. Kids then hear this and realize....I better not say anything, I will scare people #scchat
A1 great question! I talk to children about coping skills, what depression really is, addressing suicide ideation every time I hear it. We talk a lot about differences and supporting others #scchat
A2) It's really just dangerous when people don't understand MH. Very serious issues get brushed off as being minor, and it can literally be life and death sometimes. #scchat
A2 I'm concerned that some kids think they are depressed and throw that term around without understanding. I'm worried others don't take symptoms serious enough- like kids talking about threat to harm #scchat
#scchat Two of our counsellors started the SWAT team (Student Wellness Advisory Team) - they started up with an program, but have grown and developed their own unique goals etc specific to the school. Lots of support in the District in Calgary Catholic
A1 great question! I talk to children about coping skills, what depression really is, addressing suicide ideation every time I hear it. We talk a lot about differences and supporting others #scchat
A2. If we relate violent and strange events to mental health, people won't come forward for treatment. Many misunderstand that people with mental health issues are way more likely to be the VICTIM of violence rather than the violent one. #scchat
A2. That "crazy" people are violent. And mental health issues is what is the root cause of violence in our country. Powerful people saying this, media focusing on this after violent events. Kids then hear this and realize....I better not say anything, I will scare people #scchat
Hey, @SSpellmanCann and #scchat the folks at #moedchat would be honored if you would join us tomorrow night at 9PM CT for a chat on listening to students.
A2: One is students feeling the stigma and feeling like there’s something wrong with them and that they can’t lead positive lives. My other concern is parents who feel like we judge them for their child’s mental illness so they’re afraid to ask for help. #SCCHAT
Very true! As a parent of 5 kids, it can be scary to come forward about your child's mental health, but it shouldn't be. We come forward if they cough or sneeze...why is it so tough to come forward when they are anxious or sad? #scchat
A2: One is students feeling the stigma and feeling like there’s something wrong with them and that they can’t lead positive lives. My other concern is parents who feel like we judge them for their child’s mental illness so they’re afraid to ask for help. #SCCHAT
A2 The response or lack there of from parents and caregivers, as well as from staff. I also feel that students often confuse feeling depressed or anxious as having a diagnosis of depression / anxiety #SCCHAT#mentalhealthmatters
One thing I heard that stuck with me is that we have good and bad physical health days but that doesn't mean we are sick or have the flu. MH is similar. Some days might just be "low mental health" days or poor mental health days. We don't have depression but may feel sad. #scchat
#scchat Agreed -- some teenagers do not realize that there is some normal depressed feelings that they need to work through - some have all the language around it too when they come in -- makes it sometimes more complicated to get to the real concern
One thing I heard that stuck with me is that we have good and bad physical health days but that doesn't mean we are sick or have the flu. MH is similar. Some days might just be "low mental health" days or poor mental health days. We don't have depression but may feel sad. #scchat
That's so important to keep in mind. I try to avoid using words like "depressed" and "anxiety" when I meet with a student for the first time who is having a tough time. I don't want to pathologize right away. #scchat
One thing I heard that stuck with me is that we have good and bad physical health days but that doesn't mean we are sick or have the flu. MH is similar. Some days might just be "low mental health" days or poor mental health days. We don't have depression but may feel sad. #scchat
A3. My school has started using positive referrals to the office to reward classroom behaviors.
Students love to be thanked for helping their peers or setting a good example for younger students. #scchat
A3 When it comes to Gratitude, I love @JonGordon11 Check one of his many posts about gratitude for some great tips. I love the Gratitude Walk and it works. I also do Thank You notes A LOT and have students do them too. https://t.co/BZouIpo6di#scchat
A3 expresssions of gratitude enhances school culture and models appropriate interactions for our students. I try to express gratitude in speech and small tokens consistently. It feels prettydarn good too #SCCHAT
A3: I actually keep a gratitude journal. I read an article a year or two ago that said writing 3 things you’re thankful for before bed can help you sleep better so I do every day. It helps me stay grounded & see good in some days that otherwise feel pretty dreary #SCCHAT
A3: I think it’s important to find the good in every day, the silver lining! I started doing 5 favorites in college - big or little things, but 5 favorite things from the day! It really changes my day around. Also there’s something about catching the sunrise every AM #scchat
#scchat A3: during Mental Health week focus on positive approaches -- laughter yoga, journaling, physical activity, meditating, listening to music . . . show gratitude for good things going on in your life.
A3) We have to be intentional. I find it very easy to get wrapped up in the negatives, but find it much harder to get wrapped in the positives. It could be as easy as sending one "thank you" email each day to a coworker. #scchat
I used to think of 2 positive things every morning when I woke up and thought of 2 positive things from that day before I fell asleep. This strategy got me through a tough time in my life. I still try to do it today. Works with anxiety as well! #scchat
A3: I actually keep a gratitude journal. I read an article a year or two ago that said writing 3 things you’re thankful for before bed can help you sleep better so I do every day. It helps me stay grounded & see good in some days that otherwise feel pretty dreary #SCCHAT
A3: I actually keep a gratitude journal. I read an article a year or two ago that said writing 3 things you’re thankful for before bed can help you sleep better so I do every day. It helps me stay grounded & see good in some days that otherwise feel pretty dreary #SCCHAT
Congratulations to Janelle Porter from the North Kansas City School District for being honored as the "2018 GKCSCA Counselor Advocate of the Year!" Thank you for supporting school counselors! @NKCSchools#scchat#moedchat#sccrowd#schoolcounselor@JPorterNKC
A3: I think it’s important to find the good in every day, the silver lining! I started doing 5 favorites in college - big or little things, but 5 favorite things from the day! It really changes my day around. Also there’s something about catching the sunrise every AM #scchat
Working in an elementary/jh school. We read this to all elementary classes. Then when I have a jh student in my office whose struggling I say... remember that bucket story 🤗 #scchat
A3 continued: With students I try to point out the positives / moments of resiliency. I even try to have them pinpoint times when they have felt ‘better’ lately, even if in the moment they feel horrible. The goal is to find the positive, the motivation, the resiliency #scchat
A4: I wish for better resources for students suffering from mental illness, we have so few and many barely scratch the surface for the deep need. Instead, families have to travel for treatment, especially any time of IOP/inpatient #SCCHAT
A4) I wish I could just take away their pain. Since I can't do that, I just wish they all had access to get the mental health support when and how they need it. #scchat
Even if they aren't talking with me, I hope they reach out to a caring adult.
I hope:
That they feel supported.
That they continue to grow, despite setbacks.
That they learn coping skills.
That they can support one another in getting help. #SCchat
A4: that’s a tall order! I wish that they didn’t have to worry about it in the first place, but aside from that, more resources for them and their parents. MH is hard to navigate and can be so overwhelming, but if you don’t have adequate support, it’s so much worse #scchat
A3: A couple of months ago I started an email chain that my colleague and I have continued a few times a week... "one good thing" to share one positive thing that happened that day, amidst the chaos of being a counselor. It's SO powerful to write it down, AND share #scchat
A4) I also wish that more students felt safe at school. I want them to feel safe to report when someone is harassing or bullying them, when they're worried about a friend, or when they're struggling themselves. #scchat
A3: Every time my students talk about some really challenging things... I try to round us out, and prep to return to a day of classes, by asking "what is going OK for you? is there any part of your life that is positive right now?" and usually together we can find somethi #scchat
A3: A couple of months ago I started an email chain that my colleague and I have continued a few times a week... "one good thing" to share one positive thing that happened that day, amidst the chaos of being a counselor. It's SO powerful to write it down, AND share #scchat
A4 GREAT QUESTIONS! I wish for my students to feel heard, supported and like they have someone who gets it. I wish for patient, kind, encouraging, "outside the box thinkers" for teachers. I wish for RESOURCES, referrals, agencies, communities who care #scchat
Ditto. When students are really down, I challenge them to identify 3 positive things about the day. They struggle so much, but they get better as time goes on at noticing the small things going okay for them. #scchat
A3: Every time my students talk about some really challenging things... I try to round us out, and prep to return to a day of classes, by asking "what is going OK for you? is there any part of your life that is positive right now?" and usually together we can find somethi #scchat
A5: The students -- as an advisory group in the school, they have the pulse fo the students, and truly understand what the stigmas, shame, and isolation can mean, and have ideas how to address it #scchat
A4 GREAT QUESTIONS! I wish for my students to feel heard, supported and like they have someone who gets it. I wish for patient, kind, encouraging, "outside the box thinkers" for teachers. I wish for RESOURCES, referrals, agencies, communities who care #scchat
A5: supervision, colleagues for ideas. Sweetser counselor referrals. Teaching coping skills and encouraging kids to report when they see something SAY something, giving them resources, who they can talk to #scchat
A5: The students -- as an advisory group in the school, they have the pulse fo the students, and truly understand what the stigmas, shame, and isolation can mean, and have ideas how to address it #scchat
A5: I use Strong Kids and MindUp curriculum for my classes and that lays groundwork for when I see kids 1:1. We also use the BESS to identify at-risk kids which is super helpful, I use sand, mermaid pillows, glitter jars, etc to teach coping skills #scchat
A6 Self-Care as a counselor is MOST important, never easy but so helpful to ensuring you can support more students. Exercise, healthy snacks, chocolate, consulting daily, writing, DEEP BREATHS. Tell myself: I did all I could do TODAY to help. Start fresh tomorrow #scchat
A6: that’s sometimestge hardest thing I do 😂 I have a book club with a colleague and former professor that has been so helpful, I check in every week with a licensed counselor, I go for walks and I eat a lot of chocolate 😜 (my coping skills need a little work!!!) #scchat
A6) Journaling is also useful for me. I can identify when I start dwelling on the negatives through journaling so I can work on changing my thought process. #scchat
Congratulations Krista McGee, Assistant Principal at Center High School in KC, for being named the "2018 GKCSCA School Administrator of the Year!" Thank you for supporting school counselors! @CenterSD#scchat#moedchat#schoolcounselor#sccrowd
Q6: Exercise, family time reading, laughing, and keeping up with routines at home (keeping the house somewhat in order makes me feel so accomplished...ha!) #scchat
A7: my biggest goal for the year has beento teach kids that we all need someone to talk to sometimes. If I can make them feel good about counseling now, hopefully as they get older they’ll be more likely to go see someone when they need to #scchat
Taking care of our own mental health is super important! Do mindful breathing, go for a walk, and remembering to eat lunch are great brain breaks to take care of ourselves throughout the school day, in efforts to be our best to care for others! #scchat#selfcare
A7) I hope to manage my stress better. I'm rarely stressed, but have been quite a bit this year. My weight has noticed. 😯 I need to into some healthier stress management choices. #scchat
