Nadina Badrasane, a student at Waterbury Arts Magnet School, said, “I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in now. I think all students should have access to resources like that. ” he said.
High school senior Nadina Badrasane talks about the impact a counselor had on her life when she was struggling with her mental health and academics.
“I was working on homework for hours every day and never taking any time for myself, so my guidance counselor had to step in and tell me that I needed to take a step back from everything.” Mr. Badrasain said. “They sat down with me and strategized on how to get back on track.”
Badrassain praised bipartisan federal legislation that expands mental health resources in schools. The bill was introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro and Representative Joanna Hayes.
“What this means is that schools will be given grants to help them hire mental health professionals in terms of creating an environment that creates stability for young people,” DeLauro said. Ta.
As a former teacher, Mr. Hayes knows firsthand how important it is for students to have access to trained professionals within their school buildings.
“One of my darkest days as a teacher was having to call an ambulance to put a student on a 72-hour medical hold, but just as disappointing was the fact that he was on a 3-day medical hold. That's when he came back later and his mother said, “I'm not good.” I know what to do, but I don't know where else to send him,'' Hayes said.
Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said adding more counselors will ease the workload for current staff and allow for more one-on-one meetings with students.
“Someone who can be more accessible, take some of the strain off our current staff and provide more direct response and interaction with students. I think those are important needs,” Ruffin said.
Federal funds would be distributed to school districts based on need.
“So the more needs a school district has, the more funding it will get,” Hayes said.
