School Counseling, Psychological, & Social Services
School Counseling, psychological, and social services are provided to assess and improve the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of every student. All students receive these services, including developmental classroom guidance activities and preventative educational programs, to enhance and promote academic, personal, and social growth. Students who may have special needs are served through the administration and interpretation of psychometric and psychoeducational tests, observational assessments, individual and group counseling sessions, crisis intervention for emergency mental health needs, family/home consultation, and/or referrals to outside community-based agencies when appropriate.
The professional skills of counselors, psychologists, and social workers, along with school health nurses, are utilized to provide coordinated wraparound services that contribute to the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of students, their families, and the school environment. Qualified professionals such as school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses, along with mental health professionals from community agencies, provide these services.
Youth Mental Health Data Brief
Mental health issues can have a profound impact on our youth and can hinder their overall ability to learn, socialize, and communicate effectively. The following information provides an overview of the mental health landscape among Tennessee's youth and aims to provide ways that educators can support students dealing with these issues.
Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions
- 1 in 6 youth ages 6–17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
- 50% of all mental health disorders begin before the age of 14, and 75% of all mental health disorders manifest before the age of 24.
- In Tennessee, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth between 10 and 17 years old
- According to recent Tennessee Kidscount data, 24% of children have at least one or more behavioral health conditions, 38% of high school students reported a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and 10% of children and teens suffer with anxiety or depression.
Research indicates that anywhere between 14% to 43% of children and teens will experience at least one traumatic event.
Access to Mental Health Care
- Tennessee is ranked 50th in access to care for youth and more than two-thirds of Tennessee youth with clinical depression go untreated, while only 12% of youth with severe depression received consistent treatment.6
- Rural areas of Tennessee face challenges in accessing mental health care services.7
- Telehealth services may provide an alternative to in-person care in areas with limited access to mental health care providers.
Impact on Academic Performance
- Youth with mental health conditions are more likely to experience academic difficulties and dropout of school.
- Children and youth with mental health disorders may miss as many as 18 to 22 days of school.
- The rates of suspension and expulsion of children and youth with mental disorders are three times higher than their peers.
- Only 32 percent of students with a serious mental illness continue onto postsecondary education.
How Educators Can Help
- Understanding the most common warning signs and symptoms of mental health issues will help to identify students who may be struggling.
- Reaching out to the school or community counselors when clear symptoms are present helps deliver the proper support and care from the appropriate health care providers.
- Fostering healthy coping skills and resiliency in the classroom may lead to better emotional responses among students.
- Providing appropriate classroom peer-systems and programming can teach children appropriate group skills, communication foundations, and coping methods.
Schools can play an essential role in identifying and addressing mental health concerns among youth by collaborating with community mental health care providers to support students with additional needs.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training is available statewide. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent who is in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Additional information on YMHFA, is available here.
For additional information or to schedule a group YMHFA training, contact:
Jaime Grammer, School Counseling Manager
Tennessee Department of Education
Division of Coordinated School Health
(615) 638-5235
Jaime.Grammer@tn.gov