Volume_4_Issue_5_Digest

72 TPC D igest Bardhoshi, Schweinle, and Duncan include a powerful statement from a study participant who shared, “When we are allowed to focus on the social and emotional needs of the whole child, we are best positioned to clear away the barriers to academic achievement” In 2012, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) published the third edition of The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs , which contains the following four elements for comprehensive school counseling programs: foundation, delivery system, management and accountability. Assessing school counselor preparation and student change provides insight into the effectiveness of the current guidelines for school counselor training. Several articles in this special issue focus on training competencies, including career counseling and cultural competencies. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, proper identification, evaluation, and treatment of child and adolescent mental illness contribute to students’ well-being, productivity and success in various areas of their lives. When counselors stay true to their roots—as counselors first and educators second—they are in the most useful position to improve student achievement by first fighting the war on student mental health. Ninety years ago, Myers warned about interferences that would prevent the “real work of a counselor” from occurring. This 90-year-old forecast echoes today, as contemporary school counselors need support in receiving robust training and preparation in professional identity and competencies, resolving administrative and systemic issues, and obtaining efficient supervision to guide the course of the counseling profession in the school system. Full article and references: Collins, T. P. (2014). Addressing mental health needs in our schools: Supporting the role of school counselors. The Professional Counselor , 4 , 413–416. doi:10.15241/ tpc.4.5.413 The Professional Counselor DIGEST Volume 4, Issue 5 http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org © 2014 NBCC, Inc. and Affiliates