After being away from most social events, friend groups, and other gatherings since the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, it was time for children and adolescents to head back to the classrooms that lay dormant, many for over 18 months. What was unknown was how students' mental health had been affected by the pandemic, subsequent quarantines, and other mitigation measures that had left children and adolescents in solitude for an extended period. School counselors are viewed by most school personnel as the sole expert on addressing students' mental health needs in a building. This study sought to understand what major issues school counselors faced in their responsibility of advocating for students' well-being and addressing mental health needs via a survey of several closed Facebook groups for school counselors. The 104 participants overwhelmingly indicated that they perceived an increase in the frequency and severity of student mental health needs: with anxiety being the most significant reason for student intervention with a school counselor. A lack of personnel and time were among the most significant barriers to supporting students and carrying out the responsibilities required in the job. Finally, a majority of participants indicated they did not feel prepared to support the needs of students returning to in-person learning Fall of 2021. Based on the survey results, it was difficult to point to any prior training, professional development, or experiences that respondents felt helped them navigate their role as the effects of the pandemic on students' mental health emerged in the 2021-2022 school year. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]