Megan Still, one of Putnam City Schools’ counselors, is finding a new way to check on her students’ mental health through an app called WellCheq.
“I feel like I’m the child’s advocate,” she says.
But it’s impossible to have two locations, or in the case of Central Elementary School, hundreds of people, at the same time.
“Sometimes we get pulled in all directions throughout the day, and this gives us an opportunity to see how our students are doing, even if we can’t physically be with them at this time,” Still said. spoke.
Every morning, the children log into an app called WellCheq.
They choose an emoji based on their mood and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10.
“Kids love emojis,” Still says.
They choose an emoji based on their mood and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10.
On difficult days, using an app is less stressful for students like Kayleen, a fifth-grader.
“Because sometimes when I tell someone, I start crying and I don’t want to cry. So sometimes I just put it on WellCheq,” Kayleen said.
“They may have big emotions and don’t know what to do with those feelings,” Megan Still said.
She added that young students can sometimes be shy and afraid to ask for help.
“This gives them a chance to look at it and say, ‘Okay, what am I feeling?’ Why am I feeling this way? ” she said.
The app allows Ms. Still to know when, how urgently, and why her students are in need.
“They can also press a button that says check in on me or check on my friend,” she said.
Although it is anonymous among classmates and colleagues, it is valuable information for career guidance counselors.
“It lets you see how a particular student is doing and the trends of the class as a whole, so you know how to respond to the lesson and address any problems you may be facing,” she said.
I’m still hoping this will help target issues like bullying.
Apps and emojis aside, it all starts with asking for help.
“Kids need to have an outlet to express themselves,” Still said.
She’s still testing the app with fifth graders, but already hopes to roll it out to all grade levels next year.
