School-Based Mental Health Services

Any student in the Issaquah School District can be referred to a School-based Mental Health Counselor. The counselors will screen for needs, resources, and barriers to determine the appropriate level of service. This could include assessment, referral, brief counseling, collaboration with the school team, and/or consultation.

Studies show that school-based mental health programs help to eliminate barriers to accessing traditional mental-health services for students. Students who utilize school-based health centers can have fewer discipline problems, course failures and school absences.

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Confidential counseling and skill-building on many topics, including: 

• Depression
• Anxiety and worry
• Relationship problems
• Family concerns
• Grief and loss
• Access to community resources

Referrals for other community resources are available as needed.

For students 13 years and older - parent permission is not required. Adolescents can seek mental health care without parental consent in Washington state. 

For students under 13 years of age - parent permission is required.

Washington State RCW

School-based mental health services are designed for students. However, families play an integral role in supporting their student's emotional health and involvement in school-based health counseling is encouraged. Referrals for supportive services will be provided as needed.

Staff, parents/legal guardians, and self-referring students can contact their school counselor for information about services or email the school- based mental health counselor directly. The counselor assigned to your student's school will reach out to the referred individual about the concerns. Please know, the service is voluntary and students are not required to utilize these services.

Counselors are bound by HIPAA laws and will not divulge any confidential information without students' (13 years and older) or parent/guardians' (12 years and under) written consent. In the event we feel a student is at serious risk for harming themselves or others, or in the case of child abuse or neglect, school staff, parents and authorities, as appropriate, will be involved. 

No, the school-based mental health counselors follow the Issaquah School District’s calendar and do not provide counseling services during the Summer. Counselors will recommend transition to other resources during the Summer months as appropriate.

The School-Based Health Counselors are contracted by the Issaquah School District funded in part by voter approved levy monies. Management of staff and continued education is provided by Swedish.