#1: It is important because of the current heightened awareness of mental health issues to know when one is legally obligated to break confidentiality and privacy in counseling.  With the heightened awareness surrounding school shootings, stemming largely from bullying, it is important to be aware of any comments from a student indicating self-harm or the harm of others.   This is primarily because those that commit school shootings often-times wish to also commit suicide.  Knowing when to report concerns to the proper authorities is imperative to preventing such unfortunate tragedies.

#2: It is important to have knowledge about other cultures and populations.   With the growing diversity of students in our schools, having the knowledge of others and their beliefs, cultures, and lifestyles, is important to make ethical decisions and avoid imposing personal beliefs of the counselor onto students.

#3:  Keeping relationships not only with students professional, it is also important to have boundaries with parents.  This is especially important at the elementary level, as there tends to be heavy communication with parents, and it is easy for the lines of familiarity to become blurred, impairing decision-making.  Knowing how to explain to parents boundaries if needed, and to politely decline friend invitations on social media is important. 

(T. Lawson, personal communication, June 8, 2018).

The focus audience is mental health professionals with the goal to provide hands-on guidance to help school counselors, administrators, school psychologists, and others involved in the mental health of students, to build a healthy academic environment for all students.