(a) Strategies to revive and sustain the guidance and counseling program:

1. Collaboration with School Administration:

- June should communicate effectively with the principal to emphasize the importance of the
guidance and counseling program in supporting students' well-being and academic success.
- This collaboration can help secure the necessary resources, time, and administrative support to
implement the program effectively.By working together, educators and administrators can ensure
these programs receive the necessary support and resources. They can strategize on integrating
counseling into the curriculum, . Additionally, collaboration can involve seeking funding opportunities,
engaging with external partners like mental health professionals or community organizations, and
continuously evaluating the effectiveness of the programs. This joint effort creates a supportive
environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

2. Staff Training and Awareness:

Staff training and awareness are crucial components for revitalizing guidance and counseling
programs in schools. Educators need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to support
students' mental health and well-being effectively. Here's how staff training and awareness can be
implemented as a strategy:
Professional Development Workshops: Offer workshops and training sessions for teachers and staff
focused on understanding mental health issues, recognizing signs of distress in students, and
developing effective counseling techniques.
Curriculum Integration: Integrate guidance and counseling topics into the professional development
curriculum for teachers. This can include strategies for creating a supportive classroom environment,
promoting positive student-teacher relationships, and implementing mental health initiatives
.Continued Education: Provide ongoing support and resources for staff to stay updated on best
practices in counseling and mental health support. This could involve online courses, conferences,
and access to literature and research in the field
.Role Modeling: Encourage administrators and senior staff to role model positive attitudes towards
mental health and counseling. When school leaders prioritize these issues, it sets a tone of
importance for the entire staff.
- Organizing workshops or training sessions for teachers can raise their awareness about the benefits
of guidance and counseling programs.
- This can help teachers understand their role in supporting the program and how they can collaborate
with the counselor to address students' needs.

3. Student Involvement:

- Involving students in the planning and implementation of the guidance and counseling program can
ensure that it meets their needs and preferences.
Involving students in the revival of guidance and counseling programs can significantly enhance their
effectiveness and relevance. Here's how student involvement can be a strategic approach:
-Student Input and Feedback: Solicit input from students about their needs and preferences regarding
counseling services. This could be done through surveys, focus groups, or student advisory
committees. Their feedback can inform the development and improvement of counseling programs
to better meet their needs.
-Peer Support Programs: Implement peer support programs where trained student volunteers provide
support and guidance to their peers. These programs can include peer counseling, peer mentoring, or
peer-led support groups. Peer support initiatives create a supportive and relatable environment for
students to seek help and advice.
-Student Leadership: Empower students to take on leadership roles in organizing and promoting
counseling initiatives within the school community. This could involve forming student-led clubs or
organizations focused on mental health awareness and advocacy.
- This can foster a sense of ownership and investment among the students, making them more likely
to engage with the program.

4. Community Engagement:
- Collaborating with parents, community organizations, and mental health professionals can create a
supportive network for students.
Community engagement is a powerful strategy to revive guidance and counseling programs in
schools, as it involves leveraging the resources, expertise, and support of the broader community to
enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of these programs. Here's how June can implement
community engagement.
-Partnerships with Local Organizations: Forge partnerships with local mental health organizations,
counseling centers, non-profits, and community agencies. These organizations can provide additional
resources, expertise, and support to complement the school's counseling services. Collaborative
efforts can include co-hosting workshops, providing guest speakers, and offering counseling services
on-site.
-Parent and Family Involvement: Engage parents and families in the counseling process by providing
information, resources, and opportunities for involvement. This could include parent education
workshops, family counseling sessions, and parent support groups. When families are involved, there
is greater continuity of care and support for students both at home and at school.
-Community Outreach Events: Organize community outreach events focused on mental health
awareness, education, and advocacy. These events can include seminars, panel discussions, and
health fairs that address various aspects of mental health and well-being. By reaching out to the
wider community, schools can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking behaviors.
- This can enhance the effectiveness of the guidance and counseling program by providing additional
resources and support.Therefore June's programme is most likely to work.

5. Regular Evaluation and Feedback:

- Establishing mechanisms to regularly evaluate the impact of the guidance and counseling program
on students' well-being and academic performance is crucial.

- Here's how she can implement this approach effectively:

1.Establish Clear Objectives: Define clear objectives and goals for the guidance and counseling
programs, outlining what success looks like in terms of student outcomes, staff engagement, and
community involvement.
2.Implement Monitoring Systems: Set up monitoring systems to track the implementation and
effectiveness of counseling initiatives. This could include collecting data on student participation
rates, types of services accessed, and outcomes achieved.
3.Use Surveys and Feedback Forms: Administer surveys and feedback forms to students, parents,
and staff to gather insights into their experiences with the counseling programs. This feedback can
highlight areas of strength, areas for improvement, and emerging needs.

(b) Merits and demerits of group counseling:

Merits:
June can benefit from implementing group counseling in her school in several ways:

1.Cost-Effectiveness: Group counseling can be more cost-effective than individual counseling

sessions since one counselor can facilitate a session with multiple students simultaneously. This
allows schools to reach more students with limited resources.

2.Peer Support and Validation: Group counseling provides students with the opportunity to connect
with peers who may be experiencing similar challenges. Sharing experiences and receiving support
from peers can reduce feelings of isolation and provide validation for students' emotions and
struggles.
3.Social Skills Development: Group counseling allows students to practice and develop important
social skills such as active listening, empathy, communication, and conflict resolution. Interacting
with peers in a supportive and structured environment can help students improve their social
interactions and build healthy relationships.

4.Normalization of Struggles: Being part of a counseling group can help students realize that they are
not alone in their struggles. Hearing others share similar experiences can normalize their own
feelings and reduce feelings of shame or inadequacy.

5.Diverse Perspectives: Group counseling brings together students from diverse backgrounds,
experiences, and perspectives. This diversity enriches discussions and allows students to gain
insights and perspectives that they may not have considered otherwise.

6.Skill-Building Opportunities: Group counseling sessions often include structured activities,

exercises, and discussions aimed at developing coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and
emotional regulation techniques. These skill-building opportunities can empower students to better
manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges they may face.

Demerits:
While group counseling offers many benefits, there are also potential disadvantages and challenges
that June should consider:

1.Lack of Individualized Attention: In a group setting, it may be challenging for the counselor to
provide individualized attention to each student's unique needs and concerns. Some students may
feel overshadowed or unheard in a group setting, particularly if they are more reserved or introverted.

2.Confidentiality Concerns: Maintaining confidentiality can be more complex in a group setting, as

students may be hesitant to share personal information or experiences in front of their peers.
Ensuring privacy and confidentiality for all group members is essential but may be more difficult to
manage than in individual counseling sessions.

3.Differing Needs and Goals: Group counseling may not effectively address the diverse needs and
goals of all participants. Students within the group may have varying levels of readiness for change,
different personalities, and distinct therapeutic goals, which can make it challenging to tailor the
counseling experience to meet everyone's needs effectively.

4.Attendance and Engagement Challenges: Ensuring consistent attendance and active engagement
from all group members can be challenging. Students may face scheduling conflicts, transportation
barriers, or competing priorities that impact their ability to participate fully in group counseling
sessions.

5.Stigma and Disclosure Concerns: Some students may feel hesitant to participate in group
counseling due to concerns about stigma or fear of disclosing personal information in a group
setting. Addressing these concerns and creating a safe and supportive environment for all
participants is essential for the success of group counseling programs.

(c) Strategies to ensure effective group counseling:

1. Establishing Clear Goals:

- Clearly defining the objectives and goals of the group counseling sessions can guide the
discussions and activities, ensuring they are focused and productive.

2. Creating Safe and Supportive Environment:

- Fostering a safe and non-judgmental space where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts
and emotions is crucial for effective group counseling.

3. Facilitating Effective Communication:

- Encouraging active listening, empathy, and respectful communication among group members can
promote constructive interactions and meaningful discussions.

4. Managing Group Dynamics:

- Addressing any conflicts or disruptions promptly and ensuring that all participants have an
opportunity to contribute can help maintain a productive group dynamic.

5. Providing Follow-Up Support:

- Offering resources, referrals, or follow-up sessions can ensure that students continue to receive
support and assistance beyond the group counseling sessions, enhancing the long-term impact of
the program.