Mental Health Awareness and Ethics in Teens by Madelaine Stryker

Professional Perspective

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:21:49 UTC

As a school counselor, the mental health education that I provide to my students may be the only time they have ever encountered the topic. Regional cultural beliefs, financial instability, and other factors may have prevent many of my students from seeking external mental health care, even if they feel as if they need it. My goal is remain ethical and culturally sensitive when administering mental health education.

Federal

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:22:18 UTC

US Department of Education- In charge of making sure all states are adhering to national laws regarding mental health education in schools

State (Texas)

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:23:14 UTC

Texas Education Agency- Makes sure that all school districts are following federal and state law regarding mental health education and curriculum.

Local (East Central ISD)

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:23:22 UTC

Ensures that all counselors, teachers, administrators, and other school staff attend regular trainings and adhere to the state and federal guidelines for mental health education.

Federal

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:23:56 UTC

In 2021, Congress passed the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act, "This bill authorizes the award of matching grants to enhance services in secondary schools for students with mental and behavioral health issues that can lead to failure in school, such as depression and substance abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration may award these grants on a competitive basis to state or local educational agencies that serve at least one secondary school." (H.R. 1803, 117th Cong., 2021)

State (Texas)

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:24:03 UTC

The Texas Constitution references the availability of mental health resources across the state.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services may allocate state-appropriated funds to support volunteer mental health services in local mental health authorities and community centers. (Texas Health and Safety Code § 533.003 (2023))

Texas Statute

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:28:45 UTC

Requires the Dept. of State Health Services to hold seminars and training on the Mental Health Code.
Allows the department to collaborate with community groups to improve mental health literacy.
Permits public or private funding of these educational initiatives.

(Texas Health & Safety Code § 571.005 (2024))

Texas Administrative

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:28:52 UTC

One of the newest administrative laws regards the mental health training of all educators.

Mandates that all district employees working directly with students must complete mental health training, rolled out progressively by the 2028–29 school year.
Training focuses on recognizing and supporting students with mental health or substance-use issues that may impact safety

(Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, § 153.1015)

504 Regulation

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:29:26 UTC

"The Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a 'free appropriate public education' (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student's individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met." (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794)

This means that students who face mental health struggles cannot be discriminated against by educators, schools, or school districts.

Every Student Succeeds Act

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:29:32 UTC

"The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) recognizes the need for schools to support the whole child and specifically acknowledges the importance of student health and wellness, including mental health."(Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015)

ECISD Policy

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:29:43 UTC

Behavioral Health

Mental health measures are being implemented, teaching social-emotional standards throughout our curriculum to help students navigate interpersonal relations and manage their emotions.
We have a Communities In Schools case worker at every campus, along with dedicated counselors.
Every campus has a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology assigned as well as a Comprehensive Case Management Team that facilitates EC Cares wrap-around support services for students, families and staff. (ECISD, 2025)

Curriculum

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:29:51 UTC

Each district and campus needs to adopt a comprehensive curriculum so that all counselors are using the same material. This prevents counselors using non-approved material that may call ethics into question. (Texas Education Code § 28.002)

Ethics Training

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:29:58 UTC

Every staff member, including school counselors, need to attend an ethics training each year. Mental health education is so important, but without proper ethics training, teachers and other stakeholders may not know how to respond to student questions or connect the students to the correct support services. (Texas Education Code § 22.904)

Policies for Necessary Referrals to Outside Resources

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:30:04 UTC

For new and seasoned educators alike, knowing when to reach out to external resources can be difficult. These resources can be Communities in Schools (Texas specific), local mental health facilities, Child Protective Services, and local authorities. Proper education on this topic can prevent excess risk of ethical noncompliance. (Texas Education Code § 38.0101)

List of Best Practices

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:30:27 UTC

Make sure you stay in communication with the student and parents/guardians so all are aware of counseling plans
Maintain confidentiality when appropriate
Be a life-long learner and continuously update your training
Adhere to federal, state, and local laws and policies
Keep a strong record of student interactions, even when administering group education or sessions
Ensure you advocate for additional support services when needed
Know what is within your scope of abilities legally and what requires outside referral
Stay in constant collaboration with teachers and other school staff

My Role as a Teacher and Counselor

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:30:44 UTC

Many of the laws of ethics that apply to school counselors also apply to classroom teachers. Through my research, I have furthered my knowledge on cultural sensitivity. I have also gained insight on the "chain of command" for student services. Finally, I have adopted a greater understanding of my boundaries once I become a school counselor and to focus on the mental health aspect of counseling more than the administrative role.

Audience

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:31:09 UTC

In order to have a student's best interest in mind, the audience for the ethical practice of mental health education must be all stakeholders. These stakeholders can include parents, guardians, teachers, administrators, coaches, other school faculty, school board members, and other involved parties based on student interaction and decision making.

Topic

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 17:31:15 UTC

Mental health is a growing issue with adolescents, especially in the school setting. Mental health education has not been included in state curriculum in the past. How do we, as school counselors, educate students about the importance of mental health in an ethical way?

References

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 18:35:06 UTC

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Responsibilities/Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors

Mental Health America. (2017, July 18). Framework for action: Addressing mental health and wellbeing through ESSA implementation. https://mhanational.org/research/framework-for-action-addressing-mental-health-and-wellbeing-through-essa-implementation/

Texas Administrative Code. (2024). Title 19, Part 2, Chapter 153, Subchapter EE, Rule § 153.1015: Required mental health training implementation timeline. Texas Secretary of State. https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=210200&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=2&ch=153&rl=1015

Texas Education Code § 38.0101
Texas Legislature. (2019). Tex. Educ. Code § 38.0101: Authority to employ or contract with mental health professionals. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm

Texas Legislature. (2019). Texas Education Code § 38.0101: Authority to employ or contract with mental health professionals. Texas Statutes. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.38.htm#38.0101

Texas Legislature. (2024). Texas Health & Safety Code § 571.005: Information program on mental health. Texas Statutes. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.571.htm

U.S. Department of Education. (2015). Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Pub. L. No. 114-95, 129 Stat. 1802. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1177/text

Confidentiality

mstryker1 — 2025-07-20 18:36:08 UTC

School counselors recognize their primary obligation regarding confidentiality is to the student and balance that obligation with an understanding of legal rights of parents/guardians to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives. (ASCA, 2024)