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School counselors address struggles of addressing mental health in school districts

WOODLAND HILLS, Pa. — Many experts believe school safety begins with school wellness, but in Pennsylvania, one counselor to every 250 students is the standard ratio for addressing mental health inside of the classroom. Counselors we spoke with say that simply isn’t good enough.

Woodland Hills School District has roughly 3,500 students that come from 12 different municipalities. “We have two guidance counselors in a school of almost 1,000 kids,” said Dawn Golden, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services at Woodland Hills School District.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Golden.

In Woodland Hills School District, there are two counselors for the high school, one for the middle school, and none across their elementary schools — which means addressing mental health can be a challenge.

“They’re the first responders, almost, for our students,” said Golden.

Despite the critical role guidance counselors play in enhancing school safety and student wellness, in Woodland Hills there just isn’t enough support.

“Plain and simple, they are needed and more of them are needed, actually,” said Golden.

Woodland Hills School District isn’t alone in Pennsylvania. More than 50% of schools do not meet the standard of one counselor to 250 students.

In the Clarion Area School District, there are three counselors for the entire district.

“In our communities, mental health outside of school is very difficult to access,” said Rosary Pennington, the school counselor for Clarion Area High School.

Counselors are tasked with developing career, education plans, scheduling and mental health services; and when tragedies strike, they must be ready.

“We have a lot of students that are experiencing homelessness, we have a lot of students that have food insecurity, and we have a lot of students that are in foster care,” said Golden.

The counselor who spoke with Channel 11 News said to be ready, there must be a bigger investment made to provide more support for students’ mental health.

“Your metal detectors could help in that sense, but having relationships is priceless,” said Pennington.

The Biden administration recently addressed this concern by introducing a historic investment proposal of $1 billion to fund more school counselors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals. This money, if approved, would be available for the 2023 fiscal year.