This blog post is part of a special series on prevention and explores the connection between Title IX and mental health. For more information or to register for our Prevention training series, click here.

There is no better time than now to discuss the intersection of Title IX and mental health. The last several months have been a roller coaster for both Title IX and counseling professionals as we all seek to stay abreast of the changing landscape of education and Title IX. The work is complex but with the right partnerships and care for each other, we can tackle the issues together.

Here are the top ways Title IX teams and counseling professionals can partner together to create safe and healthy school communities.

Training and Education

Staff development: Title IX teams and counseling centers/school counselors are expert partners in developing training and information sessions to help faculty and staff understand the emotional, psychological, and policy aspects of sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination. In addition, counselors can provide insight into the care needed to support survivors, while Title IX staff can educate counselors on the procedural pathways of Title IX.

Awareness campaigns: Title IX and counseling teams can work together to create prevention programs, educate their campuses about protections from discrimination and harassment, and foster a safer, more supportive environment. Be sure to enlist the support of student and employee volunteers, this will ensure you are using language that resonates and makes sense for your community.

Trauma-Informed Care

Counseling centers are poised to ensure Title IX teams are using trauma-informed practices when meeting with parties, conducting investigations, and making determinations. This can include offering input on minimizing retraumatization and creating a supportive environment for reporting, investigations, and hearings. Additionally, counselors can offer support to students throughout the Title IX process to help them manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health-related issues.

Supporting Students through Academic and Campus Life Adjustments

Counseling and accessibility centers should work with their colleagues in Title IX to ensure parties have the necessary accommodations during the Title IX process, as well as support to ensure success academically and emotionally after experiencing harassment or discrimination. As Title IX teams provide adjustments like no-contact orders or shifts to housing arrangements, counselors can assist students in emotionally processing these changes.

Creating Long-Term Support Systems

Title IX teams should be fully aware of the many sources of support offered by their counseling colleagues so they stand ready to refer students and employees to individual therapy, group sessions, or support and advocacy groups. Title IX teams can also collaborate with counseling centers to train peer educators/advocates who can support students and employees in the wake of discrimination and harassment.

Policy Review and Improvement

Counseling centers, due to their close relationships with students, typically have their finger on the pulse of the climate on campus. Thoughtful conversations with your counseling colleagues can help Title IX teams assess whether current policies and practices are effective in supporting parties and what areas need improvement. This kind of collaboration is key to understanding potential barriers to reporting.

Research and Data Collection

Making data-driven decisions is one of the hallmarks of an educational institution, and this should apply to Title IX, as well. Counselors can be helpful partners as Title IX teams seek to collect and analyze data on the effectiveness of the campus’ response to harassment and discrimination.

Support and Advocacy for Survivors

When a student or employee experiences inappropriate conduct, counseling centers or school counselors can play a pivotal role in offering immediate emotional support to survivors, even if the conduct is never reported. Mental health professionals can help survivors process their feelings, reduce trauma, and explain the emotional aspects of the Title IX process. Beyond that, if counselors accurately understand the Title IX process as a result of a close relationship with their Title IX colleagues, they can also guide students and employees on what to expect from the formal grievance/investigation process. Counselors are also able to refer survivors to other services they may need such as legal assistance, advising, specialized therapy, and supportive measures.

There are countless ways colleagues from Title IX and counseling centers can partner together to create safer, healthier communities that are free from harassment and discrimination. However, as a valued member of your school community, you must take care of yourself and your needs first. You will not be able to effectively support others if you are not also showing yourself the care and compassion necessary to engage in this important work. Support begins with you!