To Counsel or Not to Counsel

Counseling is a critical area for schools, but many face difficulties in providing this service to their students. According to the World Health Organization, mental health disorders are among the leading causes of disability and ill-health worldwide. In Malaysia, it is estimated that 29% of the population is affected by mental health disorders, with depression being the most common condition.

Despite the urgent need for mental health services in schools, there are several challenges that prevent management from hiring a full-time counselor. One of the main issues is the low utilization of contact time with students. According to a report by the American School Counselor Association, the average school counselor spends only 22.6% of their time on direct student services. This low utilization often makes management wonder if it's worth investing in counseling or if they should outsource the service to another provider.

Additionally, schools may struggle with how to manage a mental health professional within their educational setting. Setting up systems like child protection, record keeping, and child advocacy are unfamiliar areas to educators. This can make it challenging to provide an effective and high-quality counseling service to students. Furthermore, many educators may not have the technical knowledge or experience to conduct performance reviews or provide feedback on a counselor's performance.

These challenges can lead to inadequate mental health support for students, which can have serious consequences. Research has shown that students who do not receive adequate mental health support are more likely to have academic and behavioral problems, miss school days, and drop out of school.

Fortunately, organizations like Salt and Light Transformations (SALT) offer solutions to these challenges. SALT provides scalable counseling services to schools, often reducing upfront costs by up to 50%. They manage the performance quality and development of deployed counselors, allowing educators to focus on their core responsibilities of educating students.

In Malaysia, where SALT is currently available, the need for mental health services in schools is significant. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Health, mental health disorders among school-going children have been on the rise, with depression being the most common disorder. By providing accessible and effective mental health support in schools, SALT is playing a critical role in addressing this pressing issue.

In conclusion, the need for mental health support in schools is undeniable, and the challenges schools face in providing these services are significant. However, organizations like SALT offer innovative and scalable solutions that can make a real difference in the lives of students. By partnering with SALT, schools can ensure that their students receive the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.