The Importance of School-Based Counseling

Written By: Kendall Keller, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program

ADDRESSING

the Growing Mental Health Crisis in California’s Schools
Recent data from the 2022 State of Student Mental Wellness Report highlights an urgent and concerning trend in California’s youth mental health. According to the report, 63% of students experienced emotional meltdowns, 43% reported panic or anxiety attacks, and 22% missed multiple days of school due to mental health concerns. Despite this clear need, only 17% of students reported an increase in available mental health support services (“State of Student Mental Wellness,” 2022).

These findings underscore a significant gap between student needs and the resources currently available in school settings. Many young people continue to face challenges such as limited access to mental health professionals, stigma around seeking support, and a lack of culturally responsive services. This growing crisis emphasizes the need for comprehensive, equitable, and accessible mental health care within educational environments.

Why School-Based Mental Health Support Matters

Schools are not only centers for learning—they are also vital spaces for social and emotional development. When students experience distress, whether from academic stress, family difficulties, or identity-based challenges, they need trusted adults and resources within their school environment.

Research shows that school-based mental health programs, such as the On-Campus Counseling program at ACS  can significantly improve student outcomes. For instance, the report, Every Young Heart and Mind: Schools as Centers of Student Wellness (2020), outlines a model in which schools partner with families, community organizations, and local health agencies to provide holistic, wrap-around care. This approach helps create a supportive ecosystem where student’s emotional well-being is prioritized alongside academic success.

Such models are particularly important for marginalized and underserved communities, who often face higher rates of mental health challenges but quite unfairly, experience fewer opportunities for care. By transforming schools into centers of wellness, we can help reduce disparities and ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to compassionate, effective support.

The Importance of Cultural Responsiveness

Equity is a central issue in school-based mental health. As the article Equitable Practices in School Mental Health (DeBoer et al., 2020) notes, many traditional approaches have unintentionally centered white, middle-class values such as competition and individualism, which may not align with all students’ cultural experiences.

To be truly effective, mental health services must be culturally responsive and affirm the diverse identities and experiences of all students, which reflects ACS’s promise. This means recognizing cultural differences in communication, emotional expression, and family dynamics, to name a few. Schools can foster inclusion by providing training for educators, hiring diverse staff, and creating safe spaces where students feel seen and understood. When students see their identities reflected and respected in their learning and support environments, they are more likely to engage openly, seek help early, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

The Power of Connection and Early Intervention

Many adults can recall the positive impact of a trusted counselor, teacher, or mentor during their formative years. Having access to nonjudgmental emotional support in a school setting can be life-changing for adolescents navigating complex challenges.

At Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS), we believe that early support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Our school-based counselors play a vital role in empowering youth to find their way through social-emotional support and by building safe, accepting relationships within local schools. By offering students a trusted space to talk, develop emotional regulation skills, and strengthen resilience, ACS helps ensure that small struggles are addressed before they become crises. Through compassionate guidance and connection, we strive to normalize help-seeking behaviors, reduce stigma, and promote lasting mental wellness across the diverse communities we serve.

Moving Toward a Healthier Future

Addressing the youth mental health crisis in California requires a community-wide effort. Parents, educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers must collaborate to ensure that every school has the resources and staff needed to meet student’s  emotional needs.

This includes:

• Expanding access to on-campus counseling and mental health services.
• Integrating mental health education into the school curriculum.
• Promoting culturally responsive practices that reflect the diversity of California’s student population.
• Strengthening partnerships between schools, families, and local mental health organizations.

By prioritizing emotional well-being alongside academic achievement, we can help ensure that young people are equipped not only to succeed in school but also to thrive in life.

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References

DeBoer, J. et al., (2022). “Equitable practices in school mental health.” Psychology in the Schools, 59(6), 1222–1238. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22678.

“Every young heart and mind: Schools as Centers of Wellness.” (2020). https://mhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/schools_as_centers_of_wellness_final-2.pdf.

“State of Student Mental Wellness Report” – California (2022). https://www.myschoolmyrights.com/state-of-student-mental-wellness-report-california-2022/.