04/26/2025
We at Anacortes Psych wish to express support for our local school counselors.
Yesterday, we sent the following letter, signed by our local network of 20+ mental health professionals (including therapists, social workers, sustance abuse counselors and psychiatrists) to our local school board and district superintendent prior to yesterday's board meeting in support. Here is the letter:
From: The concerned mental health professionals of Anacortes, Fidalgo Island and surrounding areas
April 23, 2025
To: Members of the Anacortes School Board and Superintendent Justin Irish
Anacortes School District
Anacortes, Washington, 98221
Dear Ms. Beltramini, Ms. Farnsworth, Mr. Curtis, Ms. Brennan, Ms. McIlmoyle, Ms. Knight, Ms. Kirby, Ms. Olson and Mr. Irish:
We, the undersigned mental health professionals, are writing to express our concern regarding the proposal to cut school counselors from Anacortes School District. As mental health therapists working closely with students and families, we deeply understand the vital role that school counselors play in fostering the social-emotional well-being of students and supporting their overall mental health.
In recent years, the importance of mental health support in schools has become increasingly evident. Students face a multitude of challenges both inside and outside of the classroom that can significantly impact their ability to succeed academically and socially. These challenges often manifest as anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, bullying, family instability, and other emotional and mental health concerns. School counselors serve as the first line of defense against these issues, providing critical support to help students navigate these difficulties.
The proposal to cut existing mental health support was not only concerning to us from a professional standpoint for all the obvious reasons, but especially in a community so deeply affected by death these last few years--deaths explicitly due to mental health issues. In a word, reducing mental health support seems dangerous to student health. School counselors are uniquely positioned to identify early signs of mental health struggles and intervene in ways that promote long-term positive outcomes. Their role is not only to provide individual counseling, but also to facilitate group interventions, educate students about mental health, and collaborate with teachers and parents to create a holistic support system. They are often the ones who help students build essential coping skills, develop resilience, and improve their emotional intelligence, which are all key components of social-emotional learning.
Cutting these essential positions would not only jeopardize the mental health of students, but it would also increase the burden on already stretched resources. As mental health professionals, we are deeply aware of the rising rates of mental health challenges among youth, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for mental health support has never been more urgent, and school counselors are an indispensable part of addressing this need in a proactive, accessible, and supportive manner.
We ask that you reconsider the decision to cut school counseling positions and instead advocate for the expansion and strengthening of these vital services. School counselors are integral to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, helping students succeed not just academically, but emotionally and socially. Without their presence, we fear that many students would be left without the support they need to thrive during some of the most formative years of their lives.
We urge you to invest in the mental health of our students by protecting and prioritizing school counseling programs. The benefits of such an investment are immeasurable, leading to stronger academic outcomes, healthier students, and a more supportive school community for all.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further and hope to collaborate with the district to find sustainable solutions that prioritize student well-being.
Sincerely,
The concerned mental health professionals of Anacortes, Fidalgo Island and surrounding areas
Photo for the algorithm.
