The counseling services available to students at my school are more than adequate.

This poll gave respondents four response options to chose from, two positive and two negative. Looking at the results we can see that the majority of teacher disagree with the statement that counselling services are adequate. When the two negative responses are added together they make up more than 60% of the total result. The largest numbers of answers given were by teachers who strongly disagreed with the question. A very small percentage strongly agreed that counselling services were adequate.

Generations ago, there were no school counsellors. Students seeking help turned to their parents, their teacher or their religious leader for guidance. Now we have the opportunity to use trained professionals who are well versed in the best ways to help troubled students. However, if students don't have access to these services then what good can they do?

Growing up is difficult no matter what era you live in, but some problems in modern society are unique. Computers have added a level of concern for many parents and students and it is comforting to know that if students encounter something online that makes them nervous they can turn to school counsellors for advice. Cyber bullying or cyber stalking are just two examples of issues this generation faces that others haven't.

If counselling services at our children's schools are not adequate there is one obvious reason. There are not enough counsellors available to be of assistance. Many schools have a counsellor part time. These individuals rotate through several schools each week offering help to students who request it or who are referred by teachers or parents. Sometimes when a situation arises it is best to deal with it immediately. Waiting for next Wednesday when the counsellor comes is not often the best option.

In larger secondary schools the term counsellors does not necessarily refer to someone who is there to provide emotional support to students. Their role is primarily to provide educational counselling on what courses to take to achieve graduation requirements. Many students would not think to go to these professionals with problems they are having at home or online.

What's the solution? Providing every school with at least one full time counsellor whose sole job is to address the emotional needs of the students would be ideal. Unfortunately, with school district's having to make budget cuts, this scenario is highly unlikely.