Personal/Social

How can a counselor help?

Overwhelmed by classwork? Scared because your parents are splitting up? Worried about a friend? Feel like you don't fit in?

Sometimes it's just not possible to sort through tough times alone. Problems can build up and you may lose sleep, find you can't concentrate on homework, or even become depressed. When you need to talk to someone, your school counselor can be a great place to start. Your school counselors are here to assist you!

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Local Counseling Resources

• Solace Counseling – 470-318-3233
• Pivotal Counseling – 678-979-7300
• Lifetime Counseling – 678-425-9007
• Freedom Bound Counseling – 770-467-3207
• Bold Crossings Counseling & Consulting – 470-310-1777
• Comprehensive Counseling Services, LLC – 678-425-0975
• Barrow Ministry Village – 678-425-1215
• StressCare Counseling – 706-552-0706 x203
• Family Counseling of Athens, Inc. – 706-549-7755
• Advantage Behavioral Health System – 770-868-4150
  • 24-hour Crisis Line: 1-800-715-4225
• Pathways Transition Programs, Inc. – 404-378-2300
• Social Empowerment Center – 770-925-2095
• Positive Outcomes – 706-546-8440
• Medlink – 770-867-6633
  • If you are a current medical patient, you can inquire about behavioral health services.

Local Behavioral Health Hospitals – Inpatient and Outpatient Possibilities

• Ridgeview Institute – 1-844-350-8800
  FREE assessments 24/7
   
• Summit Ridge Hospital – 678-442-5858
  FREE assessments 24/7
   
• Lakeview Behavioral Health – 1-877-659-4255
  Walk-ins welcome 24/7
   
• Laurelwood, part of Northeast Georgia Medical Center – 770-219-3800
  Call 770.219.2888 or 1.800.848.3649 for assessments
   
• View Point Health – 678-209-2411
  24/7 access to care

Mental Health Crisis Resources – 24-HOUR CRISIS ASSISTANCE

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
• Georgia Crisis and Access Line – 1-800-715-4225

Counselors Help You Cope

School counselors know how to listen and help. They'll take your problem seriously and work with you to find a good solution. School counselors are trained to help with everything — and it doesn't have to be just school stuff. A counselor can help you deal with the sadness when someone has died as well as advise you on taking the right classes to get into your dream college.

It takes a lot of training to be a school counselor. Most not only have college degrees but also master's degrees, as well as special training and certification in counseling. One of the many good things about school counselors is that they are up-to-date on all the top things that affect students, including any trends that might affect your school.

School counselors can give you all sorts of tips and support on solving problems and making good decisions. Chances are that whatever problem you have, your counselor has seen it before — and has lots of good advice on how to help you work through it. Counselors can give you tips on standing up for yourself if you're being bullied, managing stress, talking to your parents, and dealing with anger and other difficult moods. Counselors also can advise you on problems you may have with a teacher, such as communication difficulties or questions over grades.

School counselors are plugged in to the rest of the school community and, in many cases, the outside community as well. So they can refer students to outside resources like substance abuse treatment centers, professional therapists, and even health clinics.

It can help to know the different types of support your counselor offers — even if you don't think you need it now. Some schools and school districts use their websites to explain what the counselor does and how to get a counseling appointment. You may find their services listed under headings like "student resources," "student services," or "student counseling."

http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/school-counselors.html