HBEF3703 Guidance and Counselling: Mental Health Issues in Schools

This report explores the concept of guidance and counselling, its importance, philosophies, and approaches, particularly in addressing mental health issues among school students. It highlights the role of professional counselling in resolving emotional and psychological problems, especially concerning career choices, addiction, and mental well-being. The report emphasizes the importance of wellness, resilience, and prevention as core philosophies in counselling and discusses various approaches like humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and systemic therapy. It identifies common mental health challenges faced by students, such as anxiety, low mood, and hyperkinetic disorders, and suggests ways schools can address these issues through counselling services, bridging the gap between students and the institution. The report emphasizes that counselling enables students to make better decisions, cope with challenges, and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives, offering guidance to overcome psychological trauma and plan for the future. Desklib provides access to similar reports and solved assignments for students.

Introduction to guidance and
counselling

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Counselling..................................................................................................................................3
Importance, philosophy and approaches of counselling..............................................................4
Mental health issues.....................................................................................................................7
Role of school in addressing the issue of mental health of school children................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Counselling refers to a practice that direct and enable the professional guidance from a
trained personnel and counsellor. This will lead to enable a specific direction to the client along
with resolving their issues with regard to mental and emotional need (Savickas, (2019)). This is
of high importance specially in case of school students which will be caught in the situation of
dilemma and addiction of bad habits. Likewise, they also face the mental issue related with the
pursuing their future and career. In the lack of adequate counselling they caught with various
issue with regard to mental and emotional well-being. This report will discuss the concept of
counselling, its importance and philosophies and its relevant approaches. Discussion of mental
health issues along with some suggestions to the school regarding addressing of the issue will
also be included in this report.
MAIN BODY
Counselling
It is one of the major aspect and part of today's life. Under this concept professional
guidance is being provided by some professional and trained personnel that will guide the client
and assist it to solve its personal, social and psychological problem (Abacan & et.al. (2019)). As
per the concept of counselling, professional guidance and assistance will be enabled by the
trained personnel that will lead to solve the issue of the client.
As per American Counselling association, Counselling is a professional relationship that
empower diverse families, individuals and groups to accomplish health, education, wellness and
career goal (ABOUT ACA, 2021).
As per Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia which is a statutory body under Ministry of
Women, Family and Society Development, counselling is an essential part with the raising
complexity of societal problems (Lembaga Kaunselor (Board of Counsellors), 2021). It will act
as a method to resolve the societal issues. Overseeing and regulating the counselling services is
the major responsibility of Lembaga Kaunselor. Also those who want to practice the counselling,
they have to registered with Lembaga Kaunselor.
Likewise, PERKAMA INTERNATIONAL is a non-profit organization that represents
professional counsellor (ABOUT US, 2021). It enable various efforts with respect to the field of
counselling and building professional counsellor. It is the organization that work in the direction

of enabling better life to affected one with enabling counsellings so that its mental and
psychological issues and problems will be sought out.
Thus, it can be right to said that counselling is the act under which counsellor will deliver
its services in the form of organizing sessions with regard to its clients and enable its services in
terms of guidance and direction to fight and deal with the practical problem of life.
Importance, philosophy and approaches of counselling
Importance:
With regard to student life, counselling plays an important role. As the life of students
mainly children are most vulnerable so counselling enable then adequate direction. Likewise, it
is equally important in order to deal with students who are at the age of choosing their career and
are in higher standards. This is the stage where a student is caught in major dilemma and
problem, here the role of counsellor is majorly important (ErlinaYaumas & et.al. (2018)). This is
because it the counsellor that can help the students to resolve the dilemma and pass out the
situation. It will also enable them professional guidance and direction which is of high need and
requirement at this stage.
Along with this various other importance related with the role of counsellor and
counselling are:
 It guides the students to deal with psychological problems and aware them that how it
impacts over their studies. It enables them to have a development of habit of problem
solving so that they can concentrate over their studies and perform well.
 Counsellor also guides the students that how the different situation with regard to student
life are being handled and cope with.
 A counsellor will shape the student behaviour and inculcate discipline in them.
 Counselling enables the students to have better decision-making ability so that they can
resolve the major problems of their future and career too (Cowie & Sharp, (2017)).
 Likewise, Counselling enables the students to have professional guidance related with the
career, courses and jobs. This will lead to have a better choice and decision that can play
a major role in shaping the future life of students.
 As the student life is belonged to such stage where they may be caught and addicted to
drugs, alcohol, personal feelings and other emotional trauma which again put a severe

negative impact over their studies. This situation and problem will easy to be dealt with
the concept of counselling under which professional guidance and assistance will enable
the students to lead a good life.
 As counselling bridges the gap between the school and the students so organization of
counselling session enable the students to be open with the school and share their
problems. Likewise, school can also take appropriate steps with regard to rectification of
the issue faced by students.
 As the life of students includes various difficulties and mental issues so organization of
counselling session will enable the students to resolve their issues. It also enables them to
have an appropriate guidance by which they can resolve their issues. It will also solve
their issues regarding their career which is one of the most common problem faced by
students during their school life.
 Counselling will be a good solution with regard to resolving the issue of career and also
their personal issues in terms of distracting from studies and indulgence in addiction of
bad habits including alcohol consumption and drugs addiction (Zuković & Slijepčević,
(2019)). Counselling will enable the students to lead a direction on which they can move
and lead a healthy and fruitful life.
Philosophy:
The major philosophy that are associated with the Counselling includes wellness,
resilience, and prevention. These philosophies are of high worth with regard to the stream of
counselling. This is because it will fulfil the main objective associated with counselling.
Wellness:
It refers to mental and physical stability. It is the base of counselling. This means that if
this will not be achieved with respect to client then counselling will be of no worth. This means
that it is the basic philosophy that the counsellor must keep in mind while delivering its services.
Resilience:
It is the ability to recover form a certain situation. This is also an important philosophy
because after the delivery of counselling if the client is still in the same situation then there will
be of no use of counselling (Brunner & et.al. (2017)). Thus, consideration of this philosophy by
counsellor while delivering ist counselling is important.

Prevention:
It includes the decrease in frequency with regard to occurrence. Under this philosophy
various steps and action plan is being delivered by counsellor to the client so that the same
situation and issue will not arise in the future.
In case of counselling with respect to the life of students an implication of these
philosophies are equally important. This is because if the student is not physically and mentally
satisfied with regard to counselling enabled by it then it will be of no worth. Its studies will still
be affected. Likewise, with the following of the philosophy of resilience, a counsellor will help
the student to recover form the emotional and mental trauma. Here counsellor act as friend and
helps the students in recovery from mental trauma. Lastly, adopting the philosophy of prevention
and delivering action plan to the students they can be ready to face the real world and life. This
will make them independent and problem solver.
Thus, a consideration towards these three key philosophies will enable the counsellor to
deliver and enable the best counselling to students that will not only help them in fighting the
emotional and psychological trauma but it will assist them towards their future too.
Approaches with regard to student teaching:
Humanistic and client centred counselling approach:
This approach is based on the fact the client already possess the required qualities and it
just need flourishing. Likewise, client centred approach also focus that the counsellor must be
non judgemental. This will lead to create openness in the mind of client. In case of schools this
approach fits because when the counsellor will be non-judgemental then the concerned student
would be able to express its thoughts and emotional situation in a clear manner (Hoffman, Serlin
& Rubin, (2019)). This will enable it better guidance. Likewise, being a possessor of self-
qualities this counselling assist it to explore these qualities and ensure better guidance.
Cognitive-behaviour approach:
This approach focus that the emotional disorders are related with cognitive factors and
psychological treatment enable them to change these factors. This approach is most suitable and
desirable with respect to students and teaching life. As the students are affected by various
cognitive factors including attention, memory, reasoning and various others which will puts an
adverse impact over their emotional balance (Cooper & et.al. (2017)). However, an

implementation of this approach will enable to take adequate psychological steps by which such
situation and emotional trauma will be resolved and focus over the learning and career will be
established.
Systemic therapy:
As per this approach it is assumed that the behaviour and psychological issues are all
concerned with the pattern which is being implemented in concern system. This means that if the
pattern of system including school is complex and involves typical regulations and practices
(Lonczak, 2021). Then in order to fulfil and comply with such practices, mental and
psychological pressure build up in the minds of students and their learning and studies affected.
Thus, a consideration over this approach enable the better delivery of the counselling because
counsellor will mould its strategies according to the existing situation and better guide the
students.
Thus, an adoption and consideration of these approaches enable the counsellor to have
better understanding with regard to its students as a client and as a result better outcome in terms
of overcoming the psychological issues and problems will be possible.
Mental health issues
With regard to today's school students various issues are being faced by them that is
related with their health and mental issues. These issues are:
Anxiety and low mood:
With the high increase in pressure regarding studies and academic pressure along with
social and pressure related with the social condition, mental pressure among students raised at an
extensive rate. This has impacted over the studies and learning capability of students. With the
rise in pressure students would not be able to concentrate over their studies and faced the
situation of emotional and mental trauma (Higgen & Mösko, (2020)). This is being seen among
many students that with such pressure their mood got affected. Likewise, they face the situation
of anxiety that has affected their personal life as well as their student life too.
Negative impact:
Along with changing trends and situations, use of social media is common nowadays.
This has been noticed that 46% of students feel that it has positive impact while 6% feel that it is
negative impact (Study finds rising number of children in North of England are facing mental

health problems, 2020). Thus, with the use of social media by the students their life and students
both being affected to a wider scale. This use has increased the level of stress and mental trauma
among them.
Hyperkinetic disorders:
It is also an important mental health issue faced by school students. Attention deficit
disorders, high impulsivity, easy distraction, low attention and many other issues are faced by
children due to mental trauma and inadequate counselling (Matar Boumosleh & Jaalouk, (2017)).
This has majorly impacted the mind of students and as a result they are being distracted from
studies.
Mental illness:
This is also a major issue faced by students under which percentage of mental issues and
stress along with trauma is being raised. Likewise, it is also seen that that due to this 36%
students reached at such stage under which they tried to attempt suicide. It is also being reported
that 55% of students are being affected with the mental health issue (Mental health concerns for
35% int’l students, 2021). This illness is also raised with the pressure of competitive job market,
financial pressure, rise in technology and many more reasons.
Psychological distress and illness:
It is being reported that 38000, UK students are being affected by mental illness and
distress. Likewise, along with mental distress, it is being seen that 44.7% of students are affected
by drugs and alcohol addiction. Likewise, 10.2% students are affected by depression, while 8.4%
favours anxiety among the students (Levels of distress and illness among students in UK
'alarmingly high'., 2021).
Depression:
Likewise, it is also noted that students are being affected by the problem of depression at
large. Along with rising pressure of studies and emotional brust-out they faced the issue of
mental issues in terms of depression (Alsubaie & et.al. (2019)). This has also impacted their
learning ability.
Addiction:
Along with the affection towards mental health students are being addicted with the
consumption of drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants. This has not only affected their physical
health but it has majorly impacted their mental health too.

Learning disability:
This is also a major issue related with mental health are faced by school children. This is
understood as with the raising of complexion and difficulties, along with addiction towards bad
habits and social media or emotional and mental pressure they faced the issue related with
learning disability (Mitchell, Kern & Conroy, (2019)).
Irritability:
This is also a major mental health issue faced by students in today's life. This is because
with the raise in competition in the academics and student life and along with tough syllabus they
face the mental issue of irritability in which they start getting frustrated from small happening.
This will also impact their professional and student career and learning because it leads to raise
in distraction and loosing focus towards the studies.
Role of school in addressing the issue of mental health of school children
 Creation of good and positive school environment is highly suggested to school with
regard to addressing the issue of mental health of students. This can be executed in terms
of enabling flexible work environment wherein instead of creation of tough environment
students will enabled to be feel free wherein without hesitation they can clear their doubts
and raise their learning. Creation of positive environment also include promotion student
oriented environment wherein on regular interval games and physical activities will be
organized so that along with mental relaxation, physical development will also take place.
 Organization of counselling session is also suggested to school by which it can direct its
activities towards the resolving of dilemma and mental health issue which students
usually faced in terms of choosing their stream and career path. Likewise, Organization
of such session in which education and training is provided to staff, parents regarding the
signs and solution to resolve the issue of mental health. Under this special sessions are
organized with the help of counsellors so that they can train the school staff that how to
deal with the mental health issues associated with the students. Likewise, parents being
the first educator and close to students, they are also provided solution and education to
deal with the mental health issue of their children. Thus, launching of training sessions
and enabling education will also be suggested to schools.

 As mental health is having a direct relation with the physical well-being and health so it
also suggested to schools that they should include some extra-co-curricular activities in
their course structure and syllabus. This will not only lead to physical development but it
will also impact mental health in terms of mental-well-being. Launching of sports events,
extra cultural events and activities, picnics and various others have a direct and major
impact over the mental health of students. It will make them energize and energetic thus
focus over such activities is also suggested.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is concluded that the counselling is an essential aspect with
regard to the life of the students. It enables them appropriate direction with regard to the future.
Counselling will lead to resolve mental health issue with respect to students. Being enabled by
professional and trained personnel it will lead to provide new direction and way to lead a healthy
life. Various philosophies including system and cognitive behaviour is also summarized in this
report that shows that the psychological moves have a direct relation and impact with the
cognitive behaviour. Being such a stage of life which is most affected and vulnerable with the
external environment, students also face the situation of the mental health and emotional issues
which need to be resolved with the adoption of taking of certain steps in terms of enabling and
organizing counselling sessions in the schools.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Abacan, & et.al. (2019). The global state of the genetic counseling profession. European Journal
of Human Genetics. 27(2). 183-197.
Alsubaie, & et.al. (2019). The role of sources of social support on depression and quality of life
for university students. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. 24(4). 484-496.
Brunner, & et.al. (2017). The comprehensive counseling center model. Journal of College
Student Psychotherapy. 31(4). 297-305.
Cooper, & et.al. (2017). Cognitive behaviour therapy for health anxiety: A systematic review and
meta-analysis. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. 45(2). 110-123.
Cowie, H., & Sharp, S. (Eds.). (2017). Peer counselling in schools: A time to listen. Routledge.
ErlinaYaumas, & et.al. (2018). The importance of counselling basic skills for the
counsellors. International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics. 119(18). 1195-
1207.
Higgen, S., & Mösko, M. (2020). Mental health and cultural and linguistic diversity as
challenges in school? An interview study on the implications for students and
teachers. PloS one. 15(7). e0236160.
Hoffman, L., Serlin, I. A., & Rubin, S. (2019). The History of Existential‐Humanistic and
Existential‐Integrative Therapy. The Wiley world handbook of existential therapy. 235-
246.
Matar Boumosleh, J., & Jaalouk, D. (2017). Depression, anxiety, and smartphone addiction in
university students-A cross sectional study. PloS one. 12(8). e0182239.
Mitchell, B. S., Kern, L., & Conroy, M. A. (2019). Supporting students with emotional or
behavioral disorders: State of the field. Behavioral Disorders. 44(2). 70-84.
Savickas, M. L. (2019). Career-style counseling. In Adlerian counseling and psychotherapy (pp.
201-225). Routledge.
Zuković, S., & Slijepčević, S. (2019). Counselling competences from the perspective of school
pedagogues. Zbornik Instituta za pedagoska istrazivanja. 51(1). 198-237.
Online references
ABOUT ACA., 2021. [Online]. Available through <https://www.counseling.org/about-us/about-
aca>
ABOUT US., 2021. [Online]. Available through <https://www.perkamainternational.org.my/>
Lembaga Kaunselor (Board of Counsellors)., 2021. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.lawyerment.com/guide/gov/Federal_Government/Women_Family_and_C
ommunity_Development/2170.htm>
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Levels of distress and illness among students in UK 'alarmingly high'., 2021. [Online]. Available
through <https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/mar/05/levels-of-distress-and-
illness-among-students-in-uk-alarmingly-high>
Lonczak, H., 2021. 12 Popular Counselling Approaches to Consider. [Online]. Available
through <https://positivepsychology.com/popular-counseling-approaches/>
Mental health concerns for 35% int’l students., 2021. [Online]. Available through
<https://thepienews.com/news/36-of-international-students-report-mental-health-
issues/>
Study finds rising number of children in North of England are facing mental health problems.,
2020. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/research/mental-health-
children/>
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