South Dakota school counselors are taking on expanded roles to address what the U.S. Surgeon General describes as a “youth mental health crisis.” Sara Holmberg, a counselor at Dell Rapids Middle School serving about 300 students, is one of only three counselors in the Dell Rapids School District, which has 985 students total. She is the sole counselor serving the middle school, making individual counseling for every child impossible.
The pandemic intensified mental health challenges. Nationally, 37 percent of high school students reported experiencing poor mental health during the pandemic, while 44 percent reported feeling sad or hopeless during the past year, according to a CDC survey released March 31. In South Dakota, suicide was the leading cause of death among ages 10 to 19 in 2020, and the suicide rate among Native American youth is estimated to be 2.5 times higher than the white population, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. Counselor ratios remain challenging across the state: Sioux Falls has 66 school counselors for nearly 25,000 students (364:1), compared to the American School Counselor Association’s recommended ratio of 250:1.
Peer Support and School Partnerships
Schools are exploring innovative approaches to supplement traditional counseling. Platte-Geddes High School started a student-led “Hope Squad” for suicide prevention and communication about depression, anxiety, bullying, and abuse. The program operates in 35 U.S. states and Canada, with teams identifying peer leaders through surveys asking students to name three peers they would turn to if struggling emotionally. Team members receive training on recognizing signs of suicide contemplation and depression.
Dell Rapids partnered with the Utah-based Cook Center for Human Connection to offer “virtual mental health nights” with online support for families from trained professionals. The district is expanding the program using federal ESSER funds to add family coaching with 24/7 access to consultants. The district also uses an animated YouTube series called “My Life is Worth Living,” created by a producer of the “Rugrats” television show, which addresses topics such as bullying, suicidal ideation, sexual orientation, and abuse. External partnerships with Avera Behavioral Health, Southeastern Behavioral Health, and Lutheran Social Services PATH program help coordinate referrals.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/education/2022/04/07/south-dakota-school-counselors-playing-larger-role-students-mental-health/9486776002/