NEWS & NOTES
Q ?
UESTIONS for our School Counselors
Q:
In addition to the creation of a Wellness Committee, what is the school doing to address the increase in social/emotional wellness issues?
A:
Last year, 16 school administrators spent eight hours in a Mental Health First Aid Training course provided by Atrium Health. Out of that experience, the counselors were tasked with creating a Mental Health Information and Intervention presentation for our entire faculty. The presentation focused on anxiety, depression, panic attacks, nonsuicidal self-injury, and suicide ideation. We touched on what to look for in our students and how to help. The presentation strengthened the faculty’s ability to care for our students. —Samantha Bosco Lower School has implemented Social Emotional Learning lessons that teach self-awareness, empathy, emotional management, and problem-solving skills. These areas are introduced in JK and continue to build on one another through fourth grade. —JG Bailey
Q: A:
How does stress/anxiety impact students in their daily lives?
It can cause sleep disturbances, increased headaches and stomachaches, an inability to label feelings with words, an occasional tantrum, the exhibition of a range of emotions without regulating feelings, and negative self-talk. —JG Bailey
Our three dedicated school counselors— JG Bailey (Lower School), Janani Buford (Middle School), and Samantha Bosco (Upper School)—offer their thoughts on current trends regarding student wellness.
Students have various levels of coping skills when it comes to these issues, and this can impact how much they are affected and how well they can cope. It can be a healthy learning experience or it can be debilitating. —Janani Buford
Q:
How does your office support students who are facing stress/ anxiety beyond availability for individual and/or family counseling?
A:
We teach students how to accurately scale the size or severity of their problem and be self-aware so they notice their uncomfortable feelings. We teach coping skills for handling these feelings by using a variety of calming techniques including deep, controlled breathing, positive and kind self-talk, and skills for self-regulation. As teachers, we model that making mistakes and taking risks help us grow and learn. —JG Bailey We bring in outside speakers to cover topics related to mental health and wellness. Last year, Kevin Hines (a suicide survivor) and Rachel Simmons (bestselling author) delivered powerful messages about resilience, survival, and courage. Through the Upper School advisory program, advisors use talking points that I provide to help facilitate conversation on a variety of topics. I also share mindfulness activities with the advisors to use as needed and other resources that are appropriate for our students. —Samantha Bosco
Q: A:
What can parents do?
Listen, validate, be supportive, ask for help. Use us. Use outside resources. Don’t over schedule. Ensure good sleep. Stay calm when things don’t go as planned, and check yourself as far as how your expectations for your child may result in undue pressure. Set consistent boundaries. Love them. —Janani Buford FALL 2019
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