Do not treat your school counselor like you would a private therapist. Everything you say can and will be snitched on.

By wonhee

Too many students learnt this the hard way, including myself. Absolute confidentiality does not necessarily apply to sessions with school counselors, and therefore you should operate under the assumption that anything you say can, and will, be reported to your teachers, parents, even fellow students. Unlike private psychologists or doctors, school counselors are merely employees of the school.


Their primary mandate is to protect the institution itself from liability and report any perceived "harm to self or others", which schools often define incredibly broadly to include minor rule-breaking, mental health struggles or family issues. You will have no recourse or say whatsoever once they decide to pass your personal disclosures up the chain.


If you must see a school counselor, just be vague. Only tell them stuff you are 100% fine with others finding out. Treat it like an interview and give only clean, rehearsed answers; keep it super condensed and never, ever let your guard down. If you are dealing with serious issues and genuinely need a safe, private space to talk, bypass the school system entirely. Be smart and always protect yourselves. Over and out.


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Bullied and ignored in secondary school, I was once even nearly committed to IMH


We need to seriously relook at how we treat mental illness


I cried in front of my teacher and everyone, geez that was embarrassing