by Kayley Fraze from The Lufkin Daily News

Click here for the original story on The Lufkin Daily News

HUNTINGTON, Texas — In its mission to prioritize the social and emotional well-being of students, Huntington ISD recently partnered with Goodside Health to bring SchoolMed: Mental Health to its secondary campuses.

With this program, students will have access to screenings, professional care and crisis support at school.

Students who may benefit from additional support can be identified through a short, question-based screening. Following this, students who take a screening can then utilize teletherapy while at school. Parents and guardians will be updated on the plan of care, which may include multiple teletherapy visits.

With crisis support, if a student experiences an emotional or behavioral crisis at school, they can get help in a timely manner. Goodside Health may refer students to local providers.

Huntington ISD believes it is important for students to have every opportunity to succeed at school and at home, superintendent David Flowers said. As 20% of school-aged children in the U.S. struggle with mental health, the district wanted to ensure its students would have access to help when they needed it.

“We felt the partnership with Goodside Health would provide another support for our students,” he said.

Every student 11 and older is eligible for the program, though consent from a guardian is required to participate, Flowers said. Since the program is funded by the district, it will come at no cost to families.

“At Huntington ISD, we prioritize a healthy and sustainable learning environment as part of ‘Our Relentless Pursuit To Get Better,’” he said. “That pursuit includes making sure our students are mentally, physically and academically empowered.”