Counselor Spotlight: Supporting Student Mental Health in an Online School 

Building a Foundation of Support 

Anne first worked at iQLA during the school’s early years before spending nearly a decade teaching in brick-and-mortar schools. After training as a school counselor, she decided to return to iQLA to support students’ mental health. Having seen both in-person and online learning environments, she was drawn back to iQLA’s culture and the unique ways online education can meet the needs of families. She quickly learned that supporting mental health virtually requires a proactive and layered approach. 

iQLA’s  mental health support reaches every student through monthly assemblies that focus on key life skills, such as self-regulation, stress management, and goal setting. Homeroom teachers also weave these topics into weekly sessions, ensuring this support is built into everyday learning. 

Beyond the classroom, monthly newsletters give families conversation prompts and strategies to help students at home. “The newsletters do an amazing job of helping parents support their child’s well-being,” Anne says. 

Making Support Accessible 

In an online school, connection takes on a different form, but it can often feel easier for students. Instead of walking into a counselor’s office, students can reach out by phone, text, email, or through a discreet online form. iQLA also partners with CalHOPE’s Soluna program, which provides free, confidential support for teens outside of school hours. 

Anne believes this helps reduce stigma and opens the door for more honest conversations. “Some students are more willing to ask for help online, because they don’t have to do it in front of peers,” she explains. 

Personalized Help When It’s Needed 

iQLA offers small group sessions and one-on-one guidance for students who need additional support. Anne notes that the most common challenge she sees is anxiety, often tied to schoolwork or life changes. 

“I really appreciate how comfortable students feel emailing or texting me to say, ‘I’m feeling overwhelmed,’” she explains. Sometimes, a short check-in is all a student needs. At other times, ongoing sessions help them develop long-term coping strategies. Programs like IQ Connect, which offer small-group skill-building opportunities, provide students with a safe space to practice stress management and develop self-confidence. 

Anne recalls one student who struggled after leaving a traditional school environment. “We met weekly for about six weeks, focusing on breaking challenges into manageable steps,” she says. “He went from failing every single class to passing nearly all. Now he’s a senior,  has a job and a work permit, and is preparing to graduate.” 

A Community Approach 

Teachers, parents, and counselors all play a role in supporting student well-being. iQLA hosts parent workshops on topics like anxiety, executive function skills, and goal setting to equip families with practical tools. Teachers are encouraged to flag early signs such as disengagement, sudden changes in work quality, or concerning messages in class. These observations enable counselors to intervene before challenges escalate. 

“The goal is to normalize conversations about mental health and make sure students know there are options for support,” Anne says. “Not everyone needs therapy, but everyone benefits from learning coping skills and knowing where to turn for help.” 

Encouraging Students to Thrive 

For some students, the fast pace and social pressures of a large in-person campus environment can create stress that affects their learning. Online learning gives them the chance to concentrate on their studies in a familiar and comfortable environment while still having direct access to counselors and teachers. Anne has seen how this approach helps students who may have struggled elsewhere, whether it is reducing anxiety, strengthening independence, or rebuilding confidence in their ability to succeed.