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Upon completing a Master of Education in Guidance & Counseling, I hope to begin working as an elementary school counselor in a Title 1 school.

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Step 2: Interviewing a School Counselor: Mrs. Boone

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Step 2: Interviewing a School Counselor: Mrs. Boone

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I interviewed Mrs. Boone, the K-2 school counselor at a local elementary. Below I have listed the top 5 things I took away from our conversation.
1. Things change! School counselors must be aware of any legal or ethical policies that may have been updated or changed.
2. Professional liability insurance is a must!
3. School counselors should be aware of state laws as well as school board policies.
4. It is necessary to become skilled in creating and completing risk assessments.
5. Ask for help! While maintaining confidentiality is critical, if you have questions are need help, seek the advice of another school counselor or administrator.

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Step 2: American Counselor Association (ASCA)

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Step 2: American Counselor Association (ASCA)

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1. Suicide: The only thing a school counselor needs to act on threats of suicide is an expressed, implied, veiled, peer-reported or rumored suicidal ideation. School counselors who solely rely on a students denial and/or suicide assessments can be deemed negligent.

2. Reporting suspected abuse or neglect: School counselors are mandated reporters and have an obligation to report any suspected abuse or neglect of students. Suspicion is the only thing necessary when reporting child abuse. Depending upon the district or school board policy, a school counselor may be obligated to notify other professional individuals after reporting suspected abuse or neglect.

(ASCA, n.d.)

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1. The Texas Counseling Association provided an official statement regarding the Immigrant Children. The TCA expressed concern regarding the harmful effects of separating children from their families. Classifying the separation as an adverse childhood experience, the TCA posits that it could lead to progressive life long trauma, chronic fear, and impaired brain development. The TCA supports an urgent reunification of families.

2.  Bullying has an official and legal definition. The behavior must be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
Tex. Educ. Code 25.0342(a); Board
Policy FFI (Local); Board Policy FDB (Legal).

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I chose to further explore the increasing prevalence of suicide and suicidal ideations in schools. Suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst youth between the ages of 10 and 24 (CDC, 2017).

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https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/4/e20160436.abstract

Suicide in Elementary School-Aged Children and Early Adolescents.

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https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1050&context=edspec201019

Current Needs and Response to Suicidal Behavior at the Elementary School Level: A Survey of
Virginia School Psychologists

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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (n.d.), suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst youth between the ages of 10 and 24. While members of all groups are affected by suicide, it has been found to disproportionally impact certain groups; Males in particular have an increased likelihood of death due to suicide. Data also indicates a recent increase in suicide rates amongst African American males, yet research is still lacking (Sheftall et al., 2016). In a study conducted, the data revealed that victims of suicide were more often male, African American, and had previously expressed difficulties in familial relationships (Sheftall et al., 2016).

Cutchins (2013) posits that while prevalence rates for elementary suicides may be low, this is a critical issues that requires action and further research. Cutchins (2013) also asserts that professional must examine their responsive and intervention strategies when interacting with elementary youth who may have threatened or experienced suicidal ideations. Due to a lack of resources or perceived needs, school psychologists may not be accessible to elementary students, thus school counselors have a duty to examine and expand their knowledge regarding elementary youth suicide (Cutchins, 2013).