Student Support Program
Marquette University High School believes that along with parents and other segments of the community, the school has a role to play in helping students make decisions about their lives.
MUHS believes that students today encounter many challenging and stressful events in their lives. Reactions to these events vary widely, and sometimes include: depression, alcohol and other drug use, stress or suicide. We believe that students need education and assistance in dealing with these concerns. Therefore, in addition to the individual counseling services provided, the Student Support Program has been developed.
Functions of the Student Support Program (SSP)
- Identify students who are in need of support services.
- Provide initial screening to determine nature or severity of the problem.
- Motivate students to accept help.
- Offer options for treatment (In-school support group/outside treatment)
- Support the students' efforts to make positive life choices.
Referral to SSP
A student can self-refer to the SSP. In addition, referrals can be made by another student, by faculty, staff, administration or parents. A student may be referred if he exhibits behavior that is inappropriate, has an unexplained change in academic performance, develops an unacceptable pattern of absence, shows signs of depression or other signals that a problem may exist. An SSP counselor will consult with the student to determine what further involvement with the SSP is needed.
Various support groups are available to MUHS through the Student Support Program. This program offers small group support sessions which allow students the opportunity to discuss their feelings, meet peers who share similar experiences, and come to an understanding of life events which influence them.
Support Groups Available
- Attention Deficit Disorder Group (ADD)
- AODA Education Seminar
- Anger Management Group
- Concerned Persons Group
- Spectrum
- Genesis
- Stress Reduction
- Smoking Cessation Group
Attention Deficit Disorder Group (ADD)
AODA Education Seminar
Anger Management Group
Concerned Persons Group
Spectrum
Genesis
Stress Reduction
Smoking Cessation Group
Referrals/Resources
The Process
A referral may be made to the Student Support Program (SSP) Director or a designated SSP contact person. A student may be referred if he exhibits behavior that is inappropriate, has an unexplained change in academic performance, develops an unacceptable pattern of absence, shows signs of depression or other signals that a problem may exist.
A referral is made by contacting the SSP Director or by completing an SSP Referral Form.
- Teacher
- Family Member
- Peer
- Self
After an SSP referral is received, the SSP Director will confidentially review information about the student who may be experiencing difficulty.
This may involve obtaining teacher evaluations regarding academic progress; evaluation of discipline problems; parent contact; and a review of the student's attendance record.
If a pattern of inappropriate, self-destructive or declining performance and behavior emerges, the SSP Director will contact the student.
The initial contact will be to interview the student regarding any possible areas of concern. All meetings are confidential.
Offers of assistance to the student might include one-on-one counseling or an in-school support group. If the interview indicates that alcohol and/or other chemicals may be a problem, an assessment by a Certified Addiction Counselor may be requested. The Addiction Counselor would then make a recommendation regarding the appropriate treatment or education that should be pursued.