Supporting Students’ Re-Entry and Reintegration After Crises: A Framework for School Counselors to Promote Mental Health and Safety

Abstract

In recent years, the rates of children and adolescents hospitalized for suicidal thoughts and behaviors have increased, necessitating that schools be prepared to support students as they return to school after hospitalization. Yet, recent research shows that most schools do not have formalized policies and procedures to support students during their re-entry and reintegration. Further, although school counselors are often the members of the school community charged with organizing and implementing accommodations and interventions in support of these students, the field of school counseling has not adequately addressed the need for formalized re-entry and reintegration plans or the role that school counselors have in leading this process. To meet the needs of students returning after hospitalization for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, schools benefit from formalized and individualized re-entry and reintegration plans that are grounded in a larger framework of support. Further, school counselors are well positioned to take a leadership role in this process, and specific and practical strategies are available to guide them. We organize these recommendations using the evidence-based school counseling model.