Company connects mental health services with students

ALREADY SEEING SUCCESS. JENNIFER: IN SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COUNSELORS SEE A GROWING NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE. >> WE SEE IT BY ACTING OUT BEHAVIOR, WITHDRAWN BEHAVIOR, NOT COMING TO SCHOOL, INATTENTIVENESS IN CLASS. JENNIFER: STUDENTS STRUGGLING. THEIR FAMILIES UNABLE TO GET THEIR CHILD AN APPOINTMENT WITH A THERAPIST. WAIT LISTS ARE LONG, TRANSPORTATION IS A BARRIER, AND INSURANCE IS A BARRIER. WE HAD TO GET CREATIVE. JENNIFER: ELLEN WINGARD, THE SCHOOL’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES, LOOKED TO A CAMBRIDGE STARTUP FOR HELP. CARTWHEEL CARE PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES VIRTUALLY. >> WITHIN A WEEK, THEY’RE ABLE TO SEE A LICENSED THERAPIST ON OUR TEAM TO START THEIR JOURNEY IN MENTAL HEALTH. JENNIFER: CEO JOE ENGLISH SAYS CARTWHEEL, FOUNDED LAST YEAR, NOW WORKS WITH A DOZEN DISTRICTS IN MASSACHUSETTS TO EXPAND CARE IN SCHOOLS. >> WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT FOR THE PARENT, CAREGIVER, AS WELL IN COMBINATION WITH THE STUDENT’S HELP TOO. >> WE ALREADY HAVE REFERRED 62 STUDENTS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, SO THE NEED IS THERE >> STUDENTS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR LEARNING IF THEY DON’T FEEL SAFE, SECURE, AND THEIR WELL-BEING ISN’T INTACT AS THEY COME TO SCHOOL EACH DAY. JENNIFER: SALEM’S SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE SCHOOL USED LEFTOVER COVID STIMULUS FUNDS TO BRING THE SERVICE TO FAMILIES FREE OF — TO FAMILIES. >> IN ORDER FOR OUR STUDENTS TO MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL AND REALIZE THEIR TALENTS ACADEMICALLY, WE DO HAVE TO CARE FOR THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. JENNIFER: THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS STARTING IN THE THIRD GRADE THROUGH THE 12TH GRADE. ANY STUDENT WHO NEEDS CARE BEYOND SIX MONTHS CAN WORK WITH THE DISTRICT AND CARTWHEEL TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED. IN SALEM, JENNIFER EAGAN, WCVB NEWSCENTER 5. ANTOINETTE: THAT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT A LOT LATELY, MENTAL HEALTH. WHAT A STRUGGLE SO MANY ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW. DOUG

Company connects mental health services with students

Updated: 5:33 AM EST Feb 8, 2023

Counselors in Salem Public Schools are seeing a growing need for mental health care.

Counselors in Salem Public Schools are seeing a growing need for mental health care.