In the United States, the increase in school shootings, bomb scares and other dangerous emergencies has become alarming. For students who attend schools that have faced these incidents, everything from the experience itself to returning to normal academics afterward can be challenging. As a result, having adequate school counseling that can handle these events is essential.
1. Create a Disaster Mental Health Plan
Using both internal school resources as well as external resources such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information, schools should create disaster mental health plans that include a crisis intervention team consisting of counselors, teachers and school leadership.
2. Provide Psychological First Aid Training
The mind matters just as much as the rest of the body. Although most schools require staff to undergo some form of physical first aid training, psychological first aid is just as important. This is true regardless of a teacher, counselor or staff member’s background or role. Training should also be ongoing.
3. Connect with Community Resources
Another way to improve counseling in schools is by connecting with community resources such as fire departments, police departments, hospitals and local mental health agencies. With professionals who are well-trained in psychological crises, these resources can offer valuable insights to help schools.
By following these tips, schools can improve student counseling during emergencies.