Introduction to special issue: leading in wellness toward social justice

With COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. approaching one million and over 5.5 million worldwide (Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, 2022), the coronavirus pandemic has devasted vulnerable and socially marginalized communities, predisposed by their age, preexisting health conditions, or social position (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020; Litam & Hipolito‐Delgado, 2021). The pandemic has further amplified social and systemic injustices, including police brutality against Black Americans, violence against Asians and Asian Americans, inhumane immigration policies, and persistent economic and health disparities (Cary et al., 2021; South et al., 2020). The physical and mental toll of these crises are expected to continue well into the future.

The need for counselor leadership and advocacy has never been greater as health and education disparities persist, often grounded in long-standing social injustices. Counselors are uniquely positioned to lean into their orientation as social justice change agents (Ratts & Pedersen, 2014), seeking wellness for individuals and communities alike (Myers & Sweeney, 2008). In this special issue, Leading in Wellness toward Social Justice, readers will find a collection of articles whose authors illuminate some of the most persistent concerns in society and the counseling profession itself. Authors deeply explore Black birth health disparities, gun violence, climate change, a monolithic view of race, and the lack of support for cultural minorities in counselor education. Each offer novel approaches to show how counselors may lead the profession forward as advocates and servant leaders.

In their critical review, Yehudah and Tadros identified the devastating health disparities experience by Black women and infants who face substantially higher risks for mortality than White and Latinx populations. Racial disparities in physical healthcare may prevent Black women from seeking counseling services essential to their wellness. The authors detail strategies to advocate on behalf of and with Black women seeking birthing justice given the corresponding higher risks for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and systemic barriers to treatment.

Multiracial populations have unique experiences, challenges, and strengths often ignored by the counseling profession. McDonald and Chang review the multiracial identity models highlighting the complexity of individuals identifying as multiracial. Using the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts et al., 2015) and Competencies for Counseling the Multiracial Population (CCMP; Kenney et al., 2015), authors offer counselors practical strategies to advocate for this population and become more culturally responsive.

Marginalization also persists in counselor education programs. Underrepresented applicants may face narrow acceptance criteria and students often lack the needed supports to attain their goals through graduation and beyond. Spellman and colleagues underscore these barriers and note recruitment, retention, and mentorship strategies programs can utlize to better support marginalized counseling students.

Gun violence has been exacerbated in many communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Bruns and Brubaker offer the complementary frameworks of the American Counseling Association (ACA) Advocacy Competencies (Toporek & Daniels, 2018) and Chi Sigma Iota Counselor Wellness Competencies (Gibson et al., 2021) as a guide to advocate against gun violence and for client and counselor wellness, especially those at the forefront of social justice efforts. Socially just values and wellness remain cornerstones to the inception and continued advancement of the counseling profession (Myers & Sweeney, 2008; Ratts & Pedersen, 2014).

CSI has identified wellness as an essential element of professional identity as seeks its vision of realizing “a healthy society by fostering wellness and human dignity” (Chi Sigma Iota, 2013). Mongonia explores the impact of climate change, particularly among vulnerable populations, and how counselors may advocate for and engage in EcoWellness in her conceptual piece. The author proposes comprehensive, systemic advocacy practices led by counselors and community members alike.

Given the many challenges before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership development is a primary concern for the field. Prasath and Bhat recognize this need, suggesting servant leadership as a CSI endorsed model, and psychological capital as a likely antecedent. Their study provides a unique contribution to the field, and this issue specifically, as counselor preparation programs and leadership trainings may consider how to enhance psychological capital.

In this special issue of the Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, our aim is to advance the literature on social justice, wellness, and leadership on some of the critical issues facing society and the counseling profession. We are grateful for our authors providing a spotlight on these concerns as well as practical strategies counselors may embrace to effect and sustain change. It is our hope that you will continue the praxis of engaging these ideas in your clinical, community, and classroom settings.