How Guidance Counselors Can Support Good Mental Health

Written By Colēgia

When it comes to promoting good mental health, sometimes we may need help from another person. More often than not, guidance counselors are one of the best candidates to ensure students are taking care of themselves. Today we want to delve into how guidance counselors can support good mental health.

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They Offer an Ear to Listen to

Many students may find themselves in a position where they can't properly express how they feel. This can affect how they perceive their sense of self-worth which can be harmful if that image is not a positive one. When students feel like they need an avenue to express their thoughts, a guidance counselor should be one of the first people that they talk to. Given their training with both psychology and communication with others, counselors are a good fit for this as they are equipped with the tools needed to help others. A good guidance counselor gives students the space to express themselves freely without judgment. This matters as it can help open the door for good communication for students in their daily lives. Fostering this can help not just in school, but for interpersonal relationships.

“When students feel like they need an avenue to express their thoughts, a guidance counselor should be one of the first people that they talk to.”

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They Provide Good Resources

Guidance counselors are experts in their field which also gives them access to a plethora of resources to help out students. These are important because there may be instances where certain information may be easier to read rather than talk about in a one on one session. Small things such as providing access to books or pamphlets to more common subjects can give students material to work with when they're outside of school. Other ways counselors can do this is provide applications that may promote good mental health such as Alaia, a free resource for Colégia students. Sometimes a counselor may not always be available but directing students in the right direction is good as it helps them stand strong mentally.

“Small things such as providing access to books or pamphlets to more common subjects can give students material to work with when they're outside of school.”

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They Promote Independence

It's good to recognize that guidance counselors are there to help you when times are hard. Ultimately they are there to put you on the right path and to focus on how you can be more independent. Asking for help is a necessary thing to do when it comes to growth and more students need to recognize that. Guidance counselors know that to be your best possible self, you need to reach out to learn things beyond your own scope. There are instances where someone may have more knowledge about a subject and sharing that knowledge can help both sides as there is always something to learn. The lessons learned from counselors such as good communication can help you embrace confidence which can in turn lead to healthier choices. The resources they give you along with helping you settle arguments with peers can help with your relationships. More than anything else, all of these work together in harmony to ensure that you as an individual feel that you can make a difference not just in your life, but in others.

Colēgia

Colēgia

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