Counseling Corner

May 14, 2015

Mental Health in Schools
Diagnosis most prevelant in schools
*Anxiety– Common behaviors are excessive absences, frequent crying, excessive worry about school work, refusal to join in social activities
*Depression– Common behaviors are sleeping in class, refusal to participate, missing homework, thoughts of suicide, feelings of worthlessness
*Autism– Common behaviors are self isolation, repetitive behaviors, preoccupation with one or two activities/subjects, under/over sensitivity to stimuli (noises, smells, touching, etc…)
*ADHD– Common behaviors are short attention span, organization issues, easily distracted, fidgeting, blurting out, forgetfulness
*Bipolar– Common behaviors are rapidly changing moods, explosive rage, impulsivity, defiance of authority
Community mental health agencies
*RHA Mobile Crisis and Walk in Center Open 24/7 (855-345-1200) Jacksonville
*Brynn Marr Hospital (910-577-1400) Jacksonville
*Carolina Psychological Healthcare Services (910-347-3010) Jacksonville
*Coastal Carolina Neuropsychiatric Center (910-938-1114) Jacksonville *Le’Chris Health Systems (910-577-8200) Jacksonville
*Carol Shephard (910 326-8881 ) Swansboro
*More extensive list updated yearly and available in Counseling Office

Picnic Menu
PB&J
Pinwheels
Ants on a log
BBQ chips
Plain chips
Cool range doritos
Sun chips
Brownies
lemonade

Counseling Corner
We have thoroughly enjoyed our Coffee Corner sessions and hope you have too. We chose the four topics based on your needs assessment data from the beginning of the year. Our topics for the year were:
1– How to deal with difficult parents
2– Homelessness/Poverty
3– Suicide and Cutting
4– Mental Heath in the schools
Please take 3 minutes and provide us with feedback. Remember we cooked for you so please take this survey...Thank you!!!
Survey

Strategies to use in the classroom

*Anxiety– Allow students a flexible deadline for turning in work, Post your daily schedule to eliminate unknowns, Check in that assignments were written down correctly (if using planner), Communicate a lot
*Depression- Break tasks into small parts (chunking), Give lots of positive feedback, Encourage gradual social interaction, Reassure students they are doing well, Just be positive
*Autism– Provide a structured classroom/environment, Assign a peer helper during group activities, Celebrate student successes, Create a standard way to present change (sub in classroom, field trip, assembly, etc...), Learn individual students’ triggers and signs of anxiousness, Post daily schedule and keep a routine in the classroom
*ADHD– Break assignments into small parts (chunking), Check comprehension periodically, Identify a positive chill out place, When student’s energy level is low reduce academic demands but when student’s energy level is high give more academic work, Have student repeat back instructions
*Bipolar- Be patient and ignore minor negative behaviors while encouraging positive behaviors, Teach good conflict management skills by example, Use humor in the classroom, When student’s energy level is low reduce academic demands but when student’s energy level is high give more academic work, identify a positive chill out place for when student is manic

What is the counselor’s role?

Summer is on the way!!!

We should be meeting with student periodically to set goals, check in for progress, teach conflict management skills, and help if student is having a more than usual difficult day
We can sit in on any parent/teacher conference and offer assistance with behaviors and/or finding mental health providers
We can collaborate with you to determine the best interventions for that particular student
We can help develop a 504 if the student does not qualify for an IEP
We cannot diagnosis or see students on a continuous set schedule (this is called therapy) and is against our Code of Ethics