School counselors are under increasing pressure to meet student mental health needs. Over 70% of public schools report a rise in the number of children seeking mental health services since the start of the pandemic. And according to Mental Health America, 59.8% of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment in 2023. School counselors are on the front lines doing their best to meet this need, often with long waitlists and limited resources serving as barriers to families and students accessing care, even when they need it most.
Family understanding of mental health and attitudes toward mental health treatment can add another layer of complexity. Most families understandably have limited knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses. They may have a different understanding or response to mental health symptoms or changes in mood or behavior due to knowledge gaps, a fear of labels, or cultural beliefs.
School counselors and teachers have to delicately balance advocating for students' needs while taking into consideration the different places where families may be in their understanding of mental health, in hopes to address some of the barriers that may get in the way of necessary care. Some families may initially hesitate about mental health support. The good news is that how we communicate with students, parents, and caregivers can make a big difference.
8 Effective Strategies to Encourage Family Readiness for Student Mental Health Support
Through conversations with our team of therapists and child development experts, we've identified eight key strategies to help parents and guardians agree to and engage with mental health services for their child.
1. Acknowledge Individual Experiences
In order to motivate families to receive mental health support, you must start every interaction with compassion and curiosity.
Each student and their family bring their own unique beliefs, background, and experiences with them. Personal history, family dynamics, family values, stigma, shame, and cultural beliefs shape how families view mental health. By acknowledging and considering these differences, you can start building rapport early on.
2. Listen and Validate Concerns
A powerful way to engage families is by helping them feel seen and heard.
When students and families express their concerns, listen actively and validate their feelings. Many caregivers struggle with feeling misunderstood, or have had negative experiences with medical providers or systems in the past. By validating their feelings, thoughts, concerns, and experiences, you offer opportunities for better outcomes through open communication and trust.
3. Use Mindful Language
The words you use can make a world of difference when connecting with families.
Use simple language and avoid using medical jargon that isn’t easy to understand. For example, instead of using diagnostic terms like "depression," talk about the symptoms and behaviors you and caregivers are seeing, respectively, at school and home. For example, you could share observations about changes in motivation or mood, or a student not enjoying the activities they used to enjoy. Avoid using labels that might make students or families feel judged or afraid. Whenever possible, speak to families in their native language (either directly or through the use of an interpreter) to support more effective sharing and problem solving and build trust.
4. Find Common Ground
A helpful way to connect with an apprehensive family member is to identify common goals.
Perhaps a caregiver is focused on their child’s friendships at school, or maybe they’re most worried about their child’s grades or physical health. Whatever the case may be, use commonality as a way to connect and build trust. If a family values academic performance, but you're concerned about a student's mental health, emphasize how emotional well-being is key to the student’s success. Show the family that you share common goals and encourage caregivers to join you in collaborative problem solving.
5. Consider the Family’s Readiness
Start with simple, achievable goals to avoid overwhelming families with new information.
Mental health challenges can be complex, but they don't always have to be as complex as they may feel. Prioritize meeting families where they are. Introduce smaller, more manageable goals that feel achievable and more sustainable for both the student and family. Be sure to provide enough time for families to absorb the information and adjust. Remember that they may need extra time in the beginning. Starting small will help reduce family stress and better support their openness and readiness to consider mental health treatment.
6. Engage in Collaborative Problem Solving
Remember students and caregivers should be at the center, and that means involving them in problem solving and decision making every step of the way.
When students and families feel they have had a chance to share their perspectives and have control over the decisions being made, they're more likely to be open to problem solving with you. And then be more open to considering recommendations for support and treatment. Remember to create a safe space for all voices to be heard and respected. This may mean making space especially for teens and differing opinions within families.
7. Provide Support and Ongoing Education
Most families have a limited understanding of mental health diagnoses and treatment options. Connecting with care can also be a confusing and overwhelming process for most families. With the added stress of navigating paperwork and insurance and finding an available and best-match provider, families can understandably struggle.
You can help by providing families with psychoeducation and clear information and resources to help them understand their options. This could include educating families about therapy to address misconceptions and reduce stigma, guiding them on how to find a therapist, or supporting them through the process of making informed decisions about their child’s care. You should never worry alone, and we don’t want our families to have to worry alone either.
8. Consider Revisiting the Conversation
It is important to remember that not every family will be ready to receive mental health support on day one.
It can take time for families to feel ready to have the conversation about getting their student support or take time for a teen to be ready to receive support. Respect family boundaries and be open to revisiting the conversation again down the road, as many times as needed. By leaving an open door you show students and families your ongoing commitment to helping them take that next step.
Prioritizing Student Safety
The above strategies emphasize communication approaches to support student and family readiness. However, there may be times when a student's immediate safety calls for quick action. When there are acute safety concerns, the priority must be on assessing risk and ensuring safety first, above all else. Whenever possible, involve the family and help them to understand your concerns. Emphasize that you’re always working to ensure their child’s safety and well-being.
Trust as the Starting Line
Each of these strategies can help get families on board with mental health support for their students. But, at the foundation of each of these tips is: trust.
Creating a space where families feel seen, heard, understood, and empowered, can pave the way for more open and effective engagement in mental health care. It's through these sustained efforts that schools can hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and their families.
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DISCLAIMER:
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you or your child are in crisis or experiencing mental health problems please seek the advice of a licensed clinician or call 988.
