Home » Helping the Helpers: How Schools Can Support Counselors While Strengthening Student Mental Health

Table of Contents

90% of school counselors say their own well-being is suffering due to concerns about student mental health.

As the student mental health crisis continues to grow, school counselors—our frontline advocates for student well-being—are experiencing serious personal and professional strain. A recent nationwide survey by Catapult Learning revealed nine out of ten counselors feel the weight of their responsibilities in ways that are affecting their mood, relationships, and even physical health.

The Emotional and Physical Toll on Counselors

Supporting students in crisis day after day takes a toll. Catapult Learning’s survey of school counselors found that:

35%

lose sleep and/or appetite

34%

feel guilty

35%

report tension

38%

work longer

This chronic stress is not just a workforce issue—it’s also a student success issue. When counselors are overburdened, their ability to provide quality care diminishes, creating a ripple effect throughout schools.

A Growing Concern

The stress isn’t easing—it’s getting worse. Compared to just a year ago, 64% of counselors are now more worried about their ability to support students’ social, emotional, and mental health with the time and tools available.

The risk?

Burnout, high turnover, and fewer trained professionals available to support students at a time when they are needed most.

What Schools Can Do to Support Counselors

To truly support students, schools must also support the educators and counselors who care for them.  Investing in educator mental health isn’t just about retention—it’s about strengthening the entire school ecosystem.

One proven way to do this is through EmpowerU’s Educator Resilience & Mental Health Training, an on-demand, outcome-based program with personalized 1:1 coaching designed to help educators reduce stress, increase motivation, and strengthen both their well-being and student outcomes.

Real Results: How EmpowerU is Making a Difference

EmpowerU’s program is designed with measurable outcomes in mind. Research shows that:

✔ 98% of educators report improved motivation, increased confidence, and enhanced ability to support student well-being.
✔ Educators experience lower stress levels and feel better equipped to manage student behavior and engagement.
✔ Educators develop practical, resilience-building strategies they can apply daily to support both their own well-being and their students’ success.

“The power behind this program is the direct connection between the well-being of educators and the well-being of their students.”

Program Specialist, New Teacher Support

Take Action Today

Prioritizing educator mental health is one key to solving the student mental health crisis. EmpowerU’s Educator Resilience & Mental Health Training equips educators with the tools and support they need to reduce stress, build resilience, and create a healthier learning environment for themselves and their students.  To learn more about EmpowerU, visit catapultlearning.com/empoweru.

Keep Reading

5 Steps Schools Can Take Now to Strengthen Mental Health Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, Turning Awareness into Action, highlights the importance of providing meaningful support for student well-being. With mental health challenges on the rise, schools must take proactive steps to ensure students receive the right interventions at the right time.

Helping the Helpers: How Schools Can Support Counselors While Strengthening Student Mental Health

As the student mental health crisis continues to grow, school counselors—our frontline advocates for student well-being—are experiencing serious personal and professional strain. A recent nationwide survey by Catapult Learning revealed nine out of ten counselors feel the weight of their responsibilities in ways that are affecting their mood, relationships, and even physical health.

How to support student mental health before a crisis

The mental health crisis among students continues to escalate, leaving school counselors and educators searching for effective solutions. While Tier 1 support offers universal interventions and Tier 3 provides intensive clinical care, Tier 2 interventions – those designed to help at-risk students before their challenges escalate into crises – are often missing from schools’ mental health systems of supports.