This phenomenological study explores school counselors in training (SCITs’) experiences addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), the leading causes of educational and wellness inequities. Interviews with eight SCITs revealed three core themes: (1) professional identity conflict between awareness, skills, and action; (2) social justice knowledge to practice gap; and (3) recommendations for knowledge to practice gap resolution. Themes explained participant preparedness for responding to disparities. Participants were aware of challenges related to SDOH, though struggled with addressing those challenges due to lack of preparation or perceived role constraints. Participants also experienced difficulty practically applying their understanding of social justice theory to SDOH-related challenges. The researchers noted various recommendations for how SDOH may be addressed in the counselor education curriculum and in practice.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are circumstances in which people grow, live, work, and play. Unmet SDOH needs can adversely affect mental and physical health; however, to date, there are no comprehensive publications that highlight human services providers’ (HSPs’) role in addressing SDOH. This article defines SDOH, delineates HSPs’ role in addressing SDOH, and provides conceptual frameworks that can be used by HSPs to promote SDOH in practice. Special consideration is given for a collective approach that incorporates multiple frameworks to promote holistic practice and health equity. The article concludes with implications for HSPs, administrators, and educators.
In the heart of the current COVID-19 outbreak, individuals are experiencing higher rates of mental and emotional distress associated with the unpredictability of a pandemic experience. Human services providers (HSPs) serve as essential supports for individuals, families, and communities affected by the current pandemic. However, relatively little guidance currently exists on the work of HSPs in response to COVID-19, including strategies and interventions that HSPs can employ to effectively address the growing mental and emotional health demands during the pandemic. In response, this article identifies the vital role and strategic response approaches of HSPs during a pandemic crisis. Further, we explore how HSPs can leverage, in a practical way, existing strategies within their helper, healer, and mitigator capacities to sustain individual and community care in the immediate, intermediate, and extended time frames of a pandemic occurrence. This is the first of two articles comprising the special issue’s section on Social Systems in the Moment.
Racial unrest recently has been incessant. In response, this conceptual contribution explores a prevention-based program for African American adolescents and youth to aid in their navigation through ubiquitous racial unrest and persistent mental health adversities. This article provides a comprehensive literature review on racial injustice and presents information regarding race-based traumatic stressors and adverse mental health outcomes. The prevention-based program that was created in response to the apparent racial unrest among African American youth and adolescents is presented and explored. The goal of this conceptual article is to raise awareness of this issue, provide practical steps to combat racial injustice, and increase prevention initiatives.
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