Counseling

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time, especially if your life is stressful. However, if you experience excessive, ongoing anxiety and worries that are difficult to control and interfere with day-to-day activities please speak with a parent/guardian, health care provider or counselor right away.

More information about anxiety can be found on the Mayo Clinic website. 

Identifying anxiety

If you have questions about chemical health please reach out to your counselor or our Clinical Chemical Health Specialist. 

Victoria Carlsen
Email-vcarlsen@sowashco.org

Signs of a suspected substance use in students

Substance use: a resource guide for parents

Note: It is critical to discuss any concerns with a parent/guardian, family doctor, or counselor.
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 immediately.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how a teenager thinks, feels and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults.

Depression isn't a weakness or something that can be overcome with willpower - it can have serious consequences and requires long-term treatment. For most teens, depression symptoms ease with treatment such as medication and counseling.

Signs and symptoms include a change in attitude and behavior that can cause significant distress and problems at school or home, in social activities, or in other areas of life. If depression signs and symptoms continue and impact your daily life, please speak with a parent/guardian, health care provider or counselor.

Symptoms and more information can be found on the Mayo Clinic website. 

Identifying depression

Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact your health, your emotions and your ability to function in important areas of life. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviors. These behaviors can significantly impact your body's ability to get appropriate nutrition. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, bones, teeth and mouth, and lead to other diseases.

Eating disorders often develop in the teen and young adult years. With treatment, you can return to healthier eating habits and sometimes reverse serious complications caused by the eating disorder.

More information can be found on the Mayo Clinic website, Eating disorder recovery during a crisis. 

Identifying eating disorders

WHS has 3 options for families to have their students see a counselor during the school day. Please click on the links below or talk with your student's school counselor for more information.

Canvas Health (Erika Furo)- At WHS, Monday - Friday

Ellie Mental Health (Dominique Fisher)- At WHS, Monday - Friday

Lifestance Health (Carly Ziegeweid)- At WHS, Mondays and Tuesdays