Students of military families often experience multiple stressors before and during their parent’s deployment and when they come home. Without appropriate mental health support systems, children of military personnel may be at a significant disadvantage compared with their peers in non-military families. Military students are resilient but there are resources available to help.

What is the counselor’s role in the school?

• Newton County Counselors take part in everyday school activities and events.
  They are available to support in areas related to deployment and reintegration, family dynamics, positive coping mechanisms, staff support and education, parent education and stress reduction. Counselors are also available to facilitate groups and trainings to build leadership skills, manage anger, build self-esteem and confidence and strengthen communication.
• In addition, our school counselor’s duties include: 
  • individual student academic planning and goal setting 
  • school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
  • short-term counseling to students 
  • referrals for long-term support 
  • collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/ community for student success 
  • advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings 
  • data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges 
  • acting as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement and opportunities for all students

Do counselors keep records about students and families?

• Services provided by counselors are private and confidential with the exception of mandatory federal and military reporting requirements (i.e., child abuse, domestic violence and other life-threatening situations). No counseling records are maintained.
• Military One Source Military and Family Life Counseling 

Weems Mental Health

Newton County partners with Weems Mental Health service to provide counseling services to students. Contact 601-635-3342 to start services. The address is 90 South Sixth Ave., Decatur, MS 39327.