School counseling prevention programming to address social determinants of mental health

Abstract

Social determinants of mental health (SDOMH) are conditions in which students live that significantly contribute to their mental health challenges. School counselors can utilize the Advocating Student‐within‐Environment (ASE) theoretical lens as a liberation approach to strengthening students’ capacity to overcome persistent adversity while addressing root causes of systemic oppression through policy change and advocacy at the school, community, and national levels. School counselors can use increased personal awareness of the oppressive nature of SDOMH and the bidirectional approach offered by ASE to influence systems and students through preventative programming and proactive advocacy to affect institutional change. This study provides school counselors with an overview of ASE as a theoretical foundation for addressing SDOMH in schools.

The social determinants of mental health and professional counseling: A call to action

“…Lenz and Litam (2023) present a framework for integrating the SDMH into client case conceptualization and treatment planning. Johnson et al (2023) introduce a school counseling practice approach to address SDMH within K-12 settings. Sheperis et al (2023) extend the representation of the SDMH and related concepts and practices across the counselor preparation curriculum.…”

Theory‐informed school counseling: Increasing efficacy through prevention‐focused practice and outcome research

“…To address these mental health and equity concerns, there has been a growing interest in providing prevention services in school (Zabek et al, 2023). Schools provide a unique setting where socially just, prevention-focused counseling can occur developmentally over time and across various contexts, which could further address existing inequalities in access to preventive and systemic care for children and adolescents (Johnson et al, 2023b;Lemberger-Truelove & Bowers Parker, 2023;Whitaker et al, 2018). As school is a place where many initial problems may arise and can be effectively addressed, school-based prevention programs create effective pathways to mental health well-being (Greenberg, 2010;Johnson et al, 2023b).…”

“…Schools provide a unique setting where socially just, prevention-focused counseling can occur developmentally over time and across various contexts, which could further address existing inequalities in access to preventive and systemic care for children and adolescents (Johnson et al, 2023b;Lemberger-Truelove & Bowers Parker, 2023;Whitaker et al, 2018). As school is a place where many initial problems may arise and can be effectively addressed, school-based prevention programs create effective pathways to mental health well-being (Greenberg, 2010;Johnson et al, 2023b). On the other hand, if left untreated, student mental health concerns may result in social and academic difficulties that hinder students' capacity to succeed in school and beyond (Thompson et al, 2013).…”

“…School counselors play a crucial role in preventing acute and long-term developmental issues (e.g., social-emotional, academic, career) through the creation and implementation of comprehensive systemic supports serving students and various stakeholders (ASCA, 2021;Johnson et al, 2023b;. As schools are fundamentally structured to foster continuous student learning and social development over time, school counselors' deliver direct and indirect services are that inherently future-focused.…”

“…In other words, school counselors cultivate the competencies and skills required for students to confront nascent circumstances and navigate emergent challenges effectively . At the same time, it is incumbent upon school counselors to challenge and work toward improving the various systems that affect student development in and beyond the school walls (Bryan et al, 2020;Johnson et al, 2023b;McMahon et al, 2014). It is this preventative and systemic orientation focused on interrelated developmental outcomes, which differentiates school counseling from its sibling professions including clinical mental health, social work, and school psychology.…”