On Wednesday, Feb. 28 and Thursday, March 1, the Darden College of Education partnered with the Virginia Department of Education Tiered Systems of Supports to offer free training to local school counselors from the Coastal Virginia region. The training, entitled Recognition of Mental Health Disorder and Behavioral Distress, drew approximately 100 school counselors to campus. The sessions were in such demand that they filled up in less than 5 days with approximately 75 counselors on the wait list.
"When registration opened, we were delighted with the quick response from the local community," said Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott, organizer of the event and an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services. "Seeing the education building filled today with school counselors for this workshop shows our dedication to serving and improving our local community and school systems. This response also shows the importance of mental health, and the need to continue increasing awareness on this crucial topic."
Throughout the day, school counselors engaged in hands-on activities, and role-played simulations, as required by the Code of Virginia for initial licensure or renewal of a school counseling license. Participants also learned how to recognize and respond to warning signs of mental health issues and crises in adolescents (ages 12-18) and a five-step action plan for crisis and non-crisis situations.
Allison Dobson, school counselor from Kempsville High School, participated in the training session. "The sessions provided incredibly important resources that I can bring back to the teachers and administrators that interact with our students on a day-to-day basis. To be able to impart that skill set and empower them to recognize the signs before we reach a crisis is invaluable." Dobson said.
"We are particularly thankful for our strong partnership with the Virginia Department of Education and their support for this initiative," said Dr. Jeffry Moe, department chair for the Department of Counseling and Human Services. "We look forward to continuing to work together to provide these vital services to our community.
The Department of Counseling and Human Services is one of six located within the Darden College of Education and currently offers an undergraduate degree in Human Services and graduate degrees in Counseling. To learn more about the Counseling and Human Services programs, visit the Department of CHS.