Every day, school mental health professionals have the opportunity to positively impact young lives. Their services are in short supply and are sorely needed as they help children and teens deal with a plethora of issues that can impact their social, emotional, personal, and physical well-being.

• Research has shown that half of all diagnosable mental health conditions emerge by age 14. Schools can play a major role in identifying and addressing relative issues during these critical years.
• It can be difficult to distinguish between common school-related difficulties and serious mental health concerns. So, it’s important that the right professionals are available to help accurately identify problems. One in five school-aged children experience at least one of the following: bullying, loneliness, disabilities, academic performance challenges, social anxiety, stress, rejection, suicidal thoughts, alcohol or substance abuse, family issues, eating disorders, sexuality concerns, or peer pressure.

A Nationwide Crisis

As schools seek the right solutions, they struggle with an ongoing nationwide shortage of qualified mental health professionals, such as school counselors.

Experts recommend that at least one counselor be assigned to every 250 students. Yet, the national average is 385 to 1. Additional data shows that 17 percent of U.S. high schools lack a counselor, amounting to 653,700 students without this vital service.

Meet Your Career Goals and Make a Difference

There is a wide range of career opportunities in school mental health. They include:

• Counselor: School counselors identify issues impacting students’ academic performance and social skills. They can be a key resource in helping young people reach their goals. Counselors need a master’s degree and a state-issued license to practice.
• Psychologist: School psychologists work with students, families, and in-school teams to address learning and behavioral issues and evaluate students’ academic performance. They focus on each individual’s educational challenges, mental health issues, developmental barriers, and more. They need education specialization or a doctoral degree, along with certification or licensure.
• Social worker: School social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related area. In addition, most states require licensure or certification. These professionals’ roles are multifaceted, as they interact with teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, students, and families and may also interact with juvenile justice or family service departments. As in all school mental health roles, strong organizational, innovation, and communication skills are essential.
• Behavior analyst: These professionals work with students to identify and develop strategies and interventions to manage problematic behaviors. They use behavior modification principles to improve social, communication, and learning skills and collaborate with families and educators to create supportive environments for students. Typically, behavior analysts need a master’s degree and Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification.

Finding the right fit for your next educational services job can be a big challenge. That’s where Covelo Group comes in. We specialize in helping school healthcare professionals develop in their careers and matching them with leading employers in inclusive environments where they can make a real difference. Reach out to us today to learn more.