The headlines tell the story of mental health and the lack of access to help in America:
Pandemic Takes Heavy Toll on Youth Mental Health -MedPage Today
Shortage of Therapists Disrupting Mental Health Care -NY Times
Schools keep hiring counselors, but students’ stress levels are only growing; Fires, shootings, social media are taking a toll on students’ mental health, and counselors are overwhelmed. -EdSource
Reducing Barriers
Started in 2019, Telement has a goal to expand mental health access to youth by meeting students where they are – in school. Realizing there are many barriers to mental health access we sought to eliminate the transportation, costs, and tech barriers that prevent many children from getting the help they need.
After the Marjory-Stoneman Douglas school shooting tragedy, the Florida legislature passed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act that distributed funding to Florida schools to help increase access to therapeutic services. Schools are required to submit their mental health plan annually to show how their policies and procedures ensure that a student can receive help and support within 15 days of being referred.
The Dire Need for More Mental Health Professionals in School
Many schools rely on one or a couple of therapists to serve hundreds of students. Some school districts even have just one or two psychologists serving thousands of students. A majority of schools have neither therapists nor psychologists on staff, but rather relegate this role to the school guidance counselor teams who are taxed to do their normal jobs but to also then act in a capacity of a therapist when they don’t have the background or support to aid distressed students.
Realizing the strain on their staff, schools have contracted with Telement to bolster their capacity to support their students. We complement what the school already has in place and become an extension of their team. We’re able to do this thanks to our team of licensed school psychologists, clinical social workers, and mental health clinicians who have experience working in schools and are dedicated to helping children navigate tough situations in their lives using evidence-based approaches that focus on a child’s strengths.
Telement utilizes HIPAA-compliant and encrypted software to ensure that students’ information and sessions are confidential and protected so they have the opportunity to build rapport with their therapist and walk out of the meeting with clear action steps and resources.
Going Beyond the School Campus
In 2021, seeing the increased need for support in the community at large, we have expanded our service offerings to nonprofits and other organizations that serve and uplift children. Again, focusing on where children are – school, aftercare facilities, etc. it provides another access point for students to receive therapeutic aid.
One such partnership is with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and 40 Carrots. Building a supportive network to encourage youth to reach out for help and providing the necessary follow-up has been incredibly beneficial for students and their families. Learn more about this partnership here: https://telementtherapy.com/nonprofit-partners/
In addition to providing support for students, Telement also periodically focuses on counselors, therapists, and nonprofit partners. We provide guides and tips for adult caregivers to better understand the signs and symptoms of distressed children, self-care prompts, and more. We believe in the Oxygen Mask Theory where we must look after our own care before we can help others.
We look forward to being a part of your village so we can support your students and staff. Schedule a demo today or contact us directly.
Related article: Funding a Telehealth Therapy Program at Your School
