Group 8: Cara Bowen, Michelle Urquhart, Jennifer Kim


Comments

  1. This is really detailed but not too-information heavy. I love the color scheme as well and the inclusion of graphics. I particularly enjoyed the section on "Why School Counselors are Vital!" It's very persuasive. ---Audrey Doidge

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    1. @ Audrey Doidge: Thanks Audrey! I’m glad you felt we got the balance right. It’s hard to know when to stop sometimes! The Vital section seemed necessary to tie it altogether and to show the magnitude of need. I actually found another bit of research that talked about how the 250:1 ratio might not even be enough anymore. So much work to be done!

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  2. This is a very well put together poster. I am so glad your group decided to focus on this issue. It is so important for school aged children to have a constant support in their life that they can rely on in school. Most school counselors are stuck doing administrative work after going through so much extra schooling to become a counselor. This is definitely an important issue that needs to be advocated for.

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  3. I really like section on why school counselors are vital as a way to support your argument. I think it makes a very compelling case. A lot of people would probably be surprised at the rates of anxiety and depression among school age children just as I was. I like the way you included the recommended number of students per counselor and that the actual ratio is double that. It makes a pretty strong case.--Zach Small

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    1. I agree, Zach, the rates of anxiety and depression are shockingly high, and I suspect that many cases are going unnoticed due to how adults undermine adolescents' problems, attributing their behavior as simply "moody" or "going through a phase". Advocating for this issue therefore can go beyond mental health interventions in school, and include educating parents on the risk factors and symptoms of anxiety and depression among youth.

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  4. @ Meghan Blake: You make a very good point about how many school counselors are relegated to administrative tasks. It is not always just a misconception; I'm sure it is a reality for many counselors. Another reason to advocate for this issue may be that if there is more awareness around the mental health needs of students, school counselors will actually be enabled to do the job they were extensively trained for in the first place. Their credentials and abilities would be taken more seriously.

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  5. @ Audrey Doidge: Thanks Audrey! I’m glad you felt we got the balance right. It’s hard to know when to stop sometimes! The Vital section seemed necessary to tie it altogether and to show the magnitude of need. I actually found another bit of research that talked about how the 250:1 ratio might not even be enough anymore. So much work to be done!

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  6. This is a very well constructed poster. I like how you broke up the impact of counselors between different school age groups, especially because the experience and needs of students is so varied between these times in life. Well done!

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  7. I enjoyed the layout and color scheme of your poster. I found it very informative without feeling too overwhelming. Another addition that I think was great about this poster was how you guys broke apart school counselors by age groups to show why school counselors are important for these different ages. School counselors definitely spend a lot of time doing administrative work rather than counseling students in need so I think you guys made a very compelling case for this bill! --Theresa Tran

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    1. Thank you Theresa!
      Yes, it is super important to recognize that while every age group can go through various mental health issues, each group has particular risks and needs that counselors should be aware of so they are capable of helping the student to the best of their ability, keeping in mind their educational and developmental stage.

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  8. Such a detailed poster! Well done! I appreciate that you all included the need for mental health training for all school staff and family's of high risk students. If that was funded, I would hope that risk factors and signs of mental health concerns would be identified early on in children/adolescents, allowing interventions to take place. In addition, I am supportive of any mental health education in hopes of diminishing it's stigma and increasing society's willingness to pursue mental health services as readily as they would medical services. I believe that better funding and support of school counselors would show a positive impact on their students and their families. (Thus improving both their future and the future of our society's mental health!) Thank you all for putting this together!

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    1. Thank you! Your comment makes a very important statement that unfortunately, due to the stigma around mental illness, people do not pursue mental health services because they are not viewed the same as physical illnesses. Many seem to think that with mental health issues, you can "just get over it", but they would never say that to someone with a broken arm or flu. Especially among teenagers or children, some amount of emotional turbulence is part of normal development, but that also means that parents might be too quick to pass off their children's mental illness symptoms as part of the "growing up" process, when in reality, there's something that must be addressed.

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    2. Thank you Kadie! I'm glad you brought up the stigma surrounding the pursuit of mental health services. Even though the stigma seems to be diminishing in society, the stress on the importance of school counselors are still lacking. It is sad to see that research has shown how important the developmental time is for students, yet the student to counselor ratio is still too high and mental health activities are not given enough funding. Thanks again for your insightful comment! - Jennifer Kim

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  9. This poster is very informative and aesthetically pleasing to me. I also like the section "Why School Counselors are Vital" especially with the inclusion of how students have been affected by COVID-19. This is a trying time for many, but it can be difficult to try to learn while also adjusting to the abrupt changes put on us. We are all facing difficulties and with stay-at-home orders there can be elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Counselors all around are needed during this time. Thank you for incorporating this into your poster.--Kimberly Frye

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    1. Thank you Kimberly! This really is an interesting and difficult time, especially with students having to attend the usual 8 hour classes online. It is difficult because I'm sure there are students that are not able to learn very well online and that could lead to high stress and anxiety. I definitely agree that counselors are going to be needed during the COVID-19 situation and definitely afterwards as well. - Jennifer Kim

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  10. I really liked how your group added the impact for counselors depending on which school they were a part of. I think that is a great idea for people who have connections to students in one of those schools to pay more attention. It also highlights exactly why counselors are so necessary at each stage. I believe that this poster could very well successfully advocate for better school-based mental health support. Your poster was also very easy to read!

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    1. Thanks Madeline. I was also really glad we found those distinctions so well explained on the ASCA website. It really goes to show how nuanced the field is, which I think might be hard for a parent (or non-parent) to appreciate. If we're hoping to get tax funding for this issue, it is imperative that we show how necessary it is at each level. It's hard to image that some schools do not even have one school counselor!

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  11. I really appreciated the layout and design of your poster! I have noticed that many groups have done their posters over school counseling while many of us our on the clinical mental health track. I'm curious if the issues described on your poster, such as being outnumbered, are a major reason future counselors are not pursuing a career in a school setting. Thank you for bringing up such an important issue.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Katie. It is a curious imbalance isn't it?! There is such a high need yet the numbers are low. Here is a link to an interesting article that mentions a survey which shows that counselors rated below teachers and school supplies to receive tax funding https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/09/the-neglected-link-in-the-high-school-to-college-pipeline/500213/. As a long time former teacher myself I get that, yet that is a very short sided view of the problem - a Band-aid even! I think the other reality is that while ASCA has even gone out of its way to create a document which list "Inappropriate Counselor Duties," many counselors still find themselves doing those jobs! Historically, counselors have had little time to counsel due to administrative tasks, and now some newer research has indicated that they are not getting enough time to help with college prep. It seems there is a big problem of school counselors being both understaffed and misused!

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  12. I love this. My group did something similar. I enjoy the new information and stats on school counselors. The youth needs counselors. if we can help at a younger age, I feel like healing can start and happen much easier earlier on. Especially in the season we are in now... counseling for these kids is huge, and probably missing from their lives. It is so important. So, I really enjoyed this poster and I agree so much with its importance.

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    1. Thanks Emily. I agree about the younger children needing good school counselors especially now. It's only anecdotal, but my sister who is a second grade teacher is devastated by the state of her students. She says that their depression about being away from their friends and teachers is palpable. When they return to school they are going to need so much trauma informed, mental health support! COVID-19 is definitely going to be a scar for this young generation.

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  13. I enjoyed the layout and color scheme of your poster. I found it very informative without feeling too overwhelming. Another addition that I think was great about this poster was how you guys broke apart school counselors by age groups to show why school counselors are important for these different ages. School counselors definitely spend a lot of time doing administrative work rather than counseling students in need so I think you guys made a very compelling case for this bill

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    1. Thanks Theresa! Definitely there is a lack of awareness about how important the developmental period is for each age group. There is so much change happening differently during elementary school, middle school, and high school so it was important to address each one in hopes that it will push our advocacy efforts forward for school counselors. It is disheartening that a lot of school counselors are put to administrative work because of lack of funding. Mental health projects definitely seem to be pushed back in the list of priorities of schools.

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  14. Your poster has great aesthetic appeal! The colored sections make reading your poster efficient and meaningful! The aspect of this poster that is the most impactful is the section that outlines the importance of school counselors. Sadly, many individuals recall disengaged memories of school counselors due to the overload of students in the student-to-counselor ration. Your section devoted to outlining a school counselor's true purpose helps onlookers to feel comfortable and confident advocating for this bill.-Hannah Minton DeJong

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    1. Thank you Hannah! Definitely the student-to-counselor ratio is a big part of the issue. While doing a lot of research it was so surprising to see the average of student-to-counselor ratios in the different states. Some states are closer than others to closing the gap, however, there is still a long ways to go, even in just Texas. I definitely think that we should advocate, not only in the state but nation wide on the importance of school counselors and mental health initiatives in the school.

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