Whereas school counselors are more important now than ever, as the COVID–19 pandemic has magnified the mental health crisis among the youth of the United States; Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated February 5 through 9, 2024, as National School Counseling Week ; Whereas school counselors have long advocated for all students; Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic learning, social and emotional development, and career exploration; Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to increased academic achievement; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for both college and careers; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships; Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer learning environment for all students; Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and the United States; Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence; Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and social and emotional development; Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood; Whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints; Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is 408 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations