Understanding And Aiding Student Lives Better Through Counselling

Concerns around the Issues of student – a better perspective

With changing times especially with reference to socio-demographic and epidemiological changes parents are very much concerned and prioritized with putting their children to the best schools and are mostly solely concerned with their educational achievements; which is commendable BUT just like a mandatory imparting of education is important and hence is made compulsory for children of age group 6-14 years to help them accumulate knowledge on various subjects and help them be independent and achieving. Similarly, it is as much necessary to build the social and emotional repertoire of children to help develop in them the resilience required to face the different situations of life and crisis and come out of it or bouncing back from it and not succumbing to it.

Prevalence of mental disorders in the age group of 13 – 17 years alone was 7.3% and nearly equal in both genders. [Quoted from research done by National Mental Health Survey 2015- 2016] 

Children especially adolescents undergo a lot of changes including physical, social, and emotional which affect the relationships and how they view the world. Sometimes the stereotypical view of adolescents as a period of stress and storm leads many adults to minimize the seriousness of adolescent issues misinterpreting it as a passing phase; as a result, the majority of depressed teenagers do not receive treatment (Asarnow et. al., 2005).

Some of the issues faced by students are:

• Adjustment in the various spheres of life (e.g.- academic, social, emotional, physical)

• Peer pressure – the need to be in certain gangs or clubs, the pressure to look good or the need to be popular.

• Internet or gaming addiction

• Bullying victims or if they are the bullies.

• Abuse – be it sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect.

• Dealing with a crisis such as terminal illness, or death, or change of residence or school abruptly.

• Behavioral issues such as self-harm hyperactivity or inattention or conduct issues.

• Academic pressure- be it inability to study, exam anxiety, or other learning disabilities.

• Confusion regarding career selection ( sometimes they are in dilemma and are unable to choose between their desire and that of the family, school management, or teachers)

• Substance abuse

• Lack of self-worth or esteem

• Dealing with conflicts – e.g. family conflicts, separation, or relationship issues.

• Stage fright or anxiety

• Substance abuse

• Lack of self-worth or esteem

• Dealing with conflicts – e.g. family conflicts, separation, or relationship issues.

• Stage fright or anxiety

• Aggression
  

Why do we need Counselling in schools ?

The benefits of counselling are multifold. Priorly it was seen as an option for those people who have reached the crisis point and is still somewhat the same, but with increasing awareness based on researches, it is now considered more as a preventive measure. Students benefit immensely from having a counsellor with whom they can vent out their problems in a non-judgmental and safe environment and get the help and support required.

Some of the works which the school counsellors usually do in a school set up are:

• Counsellors can work with caregivers in the form of intensive workshops:

a. With teachers by teaching them to identify the red flags which will be helpful in early intervention and steady progress

b. with the school management staff by inducting them to identify and distinguish and aid victims and perpetrators of bullying, abuse, or any other serious issues.

c. With parents to be better able to understand the situation or problem their child is facing and building in them the skills necessary for handling their children better; and supporting and aiding in their development.

d. Can help teachers with strategies to manage classes properly thereby indirectly helping students to better grasp the knowledge.

• Can inoculate students against age-specific risky behaviors starting from drinking to abuse of various forms and can teach situation and age-appropriate refusal skills.
  

• Can have rules against bullying to protect children and promote a safe and respectful school environment to come and learn as children often remain absent so as to avoid such episodes of bullying.
  

• The counsellors can work in focus groups to help deal with various issues starting from time management, strength building – i.e., developing core competencies.
  

• Counsellors help students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions – i.e., Social and emotional learning.
  

• · Can help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and aid them for appropriate personality development.
  

• · Can help students with career orientation by conducting various standardized testing procedures.

I know it is easier said than done – So let’s stick to that order that is, let’s speak - with each other and hear out the other person without judgment, let’s talk to our children with a little more respect and love, and then discipline them if and when they are wrong. In the process show whether their act was right or wrong or the consequences, it could have. Many times in order to discipline our children we become stricter, we shun them instead of guiding them, we judge them and disrespect them as a whole and not for their acts – and often times when this pattern continues over years, we pave way for the distanced relationships we have.

So let’s be closely knit in bonds of love supporting each other and taking the necessary help from the right professional. Let’s rise above the stigma.