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Counseling

The St. Joseph’s Academy Counseling Department believes in educating the whole student. Our mission is to empower students by teaching them to learn and do for themselves.

This empowerment means that each student can:

  • Think for herself
  • Advocate for her needs
  • Solve problems in appropriate and timely ways
  • Balance her life by making healthy choices

To that end, we hope to assist each student in meeting her academic and personal needs.

See how we support and guide students each year

Questions?

Please contact Laura Baxendale, Student Services Coordinator, at (314) 394-4142 or at lbaxendale@sja1840.org

hours

The Counseling Department is typically available from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on school business days.

Anytime there is a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

For a mental health crisis, please contact:
St. Louis Youth Connection Helpline:
    CALL: (314) 819-8802
    CHAT: bhrstl.org
    TEXT: BHEARD to 31658  
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  1-800-273-8255  
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Click here to download Crisis Helplines to your phone contacts

Student Wellness

The counselors maintain an "open door" policy. All conversations are kept confidential with the exception of sharing information that suggests risk of harm to the student or to another person. It’s important for students to know they have a safe place in the school to talk and do not have to struggle alone with a difficult time. 

Individual services:

  • Provide support to students in all grade levels
  • Make referrals to other professionals in the community
  • Conduct crisis intervention as needed
  • Collaborate with teachers, administration and families to best help students who are struggling

All-school services:

  • Implement wellness presentations for students throughout the school year (presentation topics typically include mental health, self-care, respect, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression & suicide, and relationship advice)
  • Share student wellness topics, presentation information, community events and resources with parents via the weekly parent email blast and parent level meetings
  • Create and display “Stalling for Wellness” flyers in the student restrooms to educate students and encourage them to make healthy choices
  • Offer student wellness resources for students and parents with 24/7 access on the Counseling Office Services module in Canvas 

 

 

Student wellness presentations

Wellness topics typically include mental health, self-care, respect, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression and suicide, and relationship violence.

Meg Johnson '13 is pictured presenting to a class of juniors about depression and suicide prevention through CHADS Coalition for Mental Health. CHADS Coalition's mission is to “save young lives by advancing the awareness and prevention of depression and suicide.” The organization has been a wonderful partner with SJA in reducing stigma about mental health issues. For several years, they have encouraged students to recognize the signs of depression and suicide in themselves and others and to get help by following A.C.T. (Acknowledge, Care, Tell/get Treatment).