CSC CSC Mental Health & Wellness in Schools 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tier of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) involves universal, school-wide preventive supports for all students?
- Tier 3
- Tier 2
- Tier 1 (Correct answer)
- Tier 0
Correct answer: Tier 1
Tier 1 supports are universal and preventive, designed to meet the needs of approximately 80% of students through quality programming and positive school climate.
Question 2: CASEL's five core Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Self-awareness
- Relationship skills
- Academic achievement scores (Correct answer)
- Responsible decision-making
Correct answer: Academic achievement scores
CASEL's five SEL competencies are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making — academic scores are not included.
Question 3: A student discloses persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and fatigue lasting three weeks. The school counselor's FIRST action should be to:
- Contact the student's parents immediately without speaking further to the student
- Diagnose the student with a depressive disorder
- Conduct a safety assessment and brief mental health screening (Correct answer)
- Refer the student directly to an outside psychiatrist
Correct answer: Conduct a safety assessment and brief mental health screening
Before any referral or parent contact, the counselor must assess safety and gather enough information to determine the appropriate level of support.
Question 4: Which counseling approach emphasizes identifying and building upon students' existing strengths rather than cataloging deficits?
- Diagnostic-statistical model
- Behavioral modification approach
- Psychoanalytic approach
- Strengths-based approach (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Strengths-based approach
The strengths-based approach focuses on what students can do and what internal and external resources they already possess.
Question 5: A school counselor implementing trauma-informed practices should prioritize which core principle?
- Maintaining strict confidentiality above all other considerations
- Applying consistent disciplinary consequences for trauma-related behaviors
- Creating safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment in the school environment (Correct answer)
- Conducting formal trauma assessments before providing any support
Correct answer: Creating safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment in the school environment
SAMHSA's trauma-informed care framework centers on safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity.
Question 6: Psychoeducation in school counseling refers to:
- Teaching psychology as an academic classroom subject
- Administering standardized psychological assessments to students
- Conducting formal individual therapy sessions with students
- Providing students and families with information about mental health conditions and coping strategies (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Providing students and families with information about mental health conditions and coping strategies
Psychoeducation is an evidence-based intervention that helps individuals understand mental health conditions and build self-management and coping skills.
CSC CSC Mental Health & Wellness in Schools 1
Which tier of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) involves universal, school-wide preventive supports for all students?