• If you would like to contact the guidance department, please call the guidance office secretary, Ms. Brenda Miller, millerb@fairfield.k12.pa.us at 717-642-2034.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     
     

    Purpose

    The Fairfield High School Counseling Program is designed to assist students with academic development needed to make the transition from High School in to post-secondary choices.  In addition, the program is set up to help students realize and achieve personal/social, academic, and career-related goals.  A proactive, preventative approach to counseling is stressed; however, counseling is also provided during and after crises.  During times of need, the program also assists students with minor emotional problems which may affect their academics.  Referral sources for longer-term counseling are available upon request. 

     

    Please reach out to discuss your concerns. Any sudden changes in mood or behavior can indicate that something deeper is going on. 

    Often a barrier to receiving help can be the stigma that comes along with mental health. Struggling with mental health does not mean that you (or your child) are doing anything “wrong”, it does not mean that anything needs to be fixed. It does mean that conversations need to take place to get the proper help. If you have a broken bone you go to the doctor and all the necessary specialists to get help. You are not looked at any differently for having a broken bone and getting help with it. Mental health should be looked at in the same light. 

    If your child is a high achieving student, please do not assume that everything is ok. Have a conversation with them. Many times high achieving students do not want to “burden” their parents with their fears or problems. They are usually insightful enough to know that their parents have adult problems, and do not want to add to them. Please make sure to reassure your child that they are your priority and encourage open conversations

    Open communication between you and your child is key, make sure you are checking on them and having those conversations. If you’re not sure where to start - your School Counselor can help you find a way. Conversations about mental health can be hard and awkward - but they are important and can be life saving. All information shared with your School Counselor is confidential and does not go on your child’s record. In the event that confidentiality needs to be broken, your School Counselor will discuss the reasons with you prior to any confidential information being shared.

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Child and adolescent mental health.  Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/index.shtml

     

    High School - Kristina Mathews, M. Ed., NCC

     mathewsk@fairfield.k12.pa.us 

    717-642-2078