It is crucial that people in need of counselling services have access. Offering counselling sessions to students can help them navigate stressful situations while supporting their mental health and well-being. Some schools may not offer school-based counselling services, so having an awareness of community services is key to supporting students.

• Identify a referral process for counselling, and consider whether it is a staff referral, family referral, or student referral.
• Identify available counselling supports in the school (consider whether the school has a counsellor or if you will need to seek external resources).
• Determine if the supports required are universal (applicable to all students), targeted (group based for students struggling with the same challenges), or individualized (one-on-one setting).
• Consult with students and families to determine the type of required required.
• Refer to outside agencies as needed (offer support to parents in making  phone calls to these agencies, as it may be challenging for them).