Orem said the program is intended to help district counseling staff, especially as mental health struggles are rising in youth.
"We hope that every student who's offered this opportunity will take advantage of it." "Mental health is not just for people that are in crisis or trauma," he said. But Orem said therapists can also help students work through common challenges like stress over schoolwork and testing. Students experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression might use the program's services, along with kids who have experienced trauma. The program's therapists can also coordinate with local resources if they determine a student is in crisis or needs additional support. During a student's first appointment, a parent is required to be in the room for the first and last 15 minutes of the session. Students who sign up to participate create an account with the service and choose a therapist based on their needs, comfort level and preferred language. UT and MDLIVE helped participating schools create private spaces on campus where students between the ages of 10 and 18 can access care with a parent's permission. The program is in partnership with MDLIVE, a telehealth and virtual therapy provider. Several Central Texas districts are participating, including Del Valle ISD, Lockhart ISD and San Marcos CISD.
#VIRTUAL COUNSELING ACTIVITIES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR FREE#
In all of the school districts chosen for the pilot, at least 70% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. “This has long been a salient issue that we knew needed supplemental support, especially in underserved, low-income and rural school districts,” IPSI Executive Director Matt Orem said. UT Austin’s Institute for Public School Initiatives has launched a pilot program that offers on-demand virtual therapy to more than 11,000 students in public schools in Texas.
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