The officially kicked off an initiative on Wednesday that aims to provide for more than 400,000 K-12 students. The partnership is with , which is a telehealth service, and .
Virtual mental health services are currently live at Harnett County Schools and Durham County Public Schools. At the kick off event at Shawtown Elementary School in Lillington, State Health Secretary Dev Sangvai said Harnett County was chosen due to the needs of the school district.
"Partly, it was based on which counties had reached out for this type of assistance,鈥� he said, at Wednesday鈥檚 event. 鈥淎nd, I think Harnett County stood up and said, 鈥榃e're willing to do the kind of work that needs to be done.鈥欌��
Sangvai said he feels the services are needed, because one in four children are experiencing a mental health need in school.
Any students enrolled within participating districts will have access to a licensed therapist with Hazel Health before, during, and after the school day.
The services are also offered throughout the summer break.
鈥淚t reduces absenteeism,鈥� said Anita Bachmann, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina. 鈥淲e're able to identify what the needs are of those children, whether it's stress, anxiety, depression, able to identify it and see it right there. To be able to get those services right on site, you don't have to stop and make an appointment days or weeks later.鈥�
The state health department funded $3.5 million toward the virtual mental health services program. More school districts are expected to be added in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, State Health Secretary Sangvai said it鈥檚 unclear if the program or others similar to it will be impacted by federal cuts.
