ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — Kids these days are under a lot of stress. The Lehigh Valley School District asked how it could help them, and students requested resources they could use on their phones.
Approximately 5,000 high school students in the Allentown School District now have access to mental health resources in a variety of languages with just a few taps, which is already making a difference.
The app, Counslr, launched in Allentown schools in late December, ahead of schedule, thanks to federal coronavirus relief funding. Children are provided with free 24/7 support from licensed counselors anywhere through familiar mediums.
“You're literally texting with your therapist, so there were over 360 messages,” said director Dr. Carol D. Birx.
District leaders are: Tiffany Polec, executive director of instructional leadership, said students requested the resource in response to the heightened focus on mental health due to the pandemic.
“It seemed like an ideal opportunity for students to get exactly what they need: on-demand support,” Polek said.
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“We have to do something. I can't believe how many students really feel like they need someone to talk to,” Birx said.
And that's a need that Josh Liss, the app's CEO and one of its co-founders, also feels, and wants to eliminate the stigma of asking for help.
App data shows that none of the students in districts using Counslr have ever been to their school's counseling center.
“Probably the most common issues discussed so far are anxiety, relationship issues, and sleep issues,” Lis says.
Officials with the partnership say several precautions have been taken to address safety and privacy concerns, including obtaining parental permission before logging in.
“If someone is at risk of harming themselves or harming others, we can ensure a timely medical examination at the emergency services center closest to that person. ” said Liss. .
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Easy scanning of QR codes lets students know that support is not far away.
The district said it is working to expand mental health resources to even younger children by offering a similar app to middle school and elementary school students.