The Minor League: My Child Needs Help At School with Danny LundellThe Minor League: My Child Needs Help At School with Danny Lundell
Addict II Athlete Podcast
High school counsellor Danny Lundell talks with Savannah and Blu Robinson about teen stress, suicide risk, perfectionism and school pressure. The conversation focuses on how friends, parents and school staff can work together so students feel safer asking for help and taking small steps forward.
31:22•15 Nov 2020
School Stress, Suicide Fears and Support: A High School Counsellor Shares What Really Helps
Episode Overview
- Friends can support each other by going together to a counsellor, sharing the story and easing the fear of involving an adult.
- QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is presented as a simple way for peers to respond when someone mentions suicidal thoughts and to guide them to proper help.
- Students are reminded that many adults in school – not just teachers – can be trusted allies, and counsellors see themselves firmly on the student’s side.
- Parents are encouraged to show unconditional love, pause if emotions run high, and accept that they may also need help and outside resources.
- For slipping grades and low motivation, breaking big problems into small, doable steps and letting go of perfection can reduce pressure and build hope.
“I would much rather have somebody be mad at you for a little while than to not have them here at all.”
Curious about how others manage their sobriety journey while juggling school, stress and friendships? This Minor League episode of Addict II Athlete zooms in on exactly that, shining a light on what happens inside a school counsellor’s office and why it matters so much for teens and their families.
Savannah Robinson, joined by her co-host Blu Robinson, chats with her uncle, high school counsellor and social worker Danny Lundell, who brings 25 years of experience from schools, youth corrections and DCFS. Together they talk honestly about teen stress, suicidal thoughts, bullying, substance use and the growing pressure to be “perfect”.
As Danny puts it, “I would much rather have somebody be mad at you for a little while than to not have them here at all.” You’ll hear practical ideas on how friends can support each other without carrying everything alone, including going with a friend to see a counsellor and using the QPR model – Question, Persuade, Refer – as a kind of CPR for mental health.
They also unpack how to bridge that intimidating gap between students and adults, whether it’s a teacher, counsellor, custodian or even a lunch worker, and why “knowing that you've got somebody who's in your corner” can change everything. Parents get plenty of guidance too: how to respond when the school calls, why it’s okay to say “I need a minute” before a hard conversation, and how to show unconditional love while still addressing serious issues.
Danny also offers down-to-earth tips for students whose grades are slipping or who feel buried and unmotivated, breaking things down into “one thing at a time” instead of a mountain of Fs or a chase for perfect grades. If you or your child feels overwhelmed by school, pressure, or early struggles with addiction and mental health, this conversation might be the nudge to ask: who could be in your corner today?
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