Governor McKee, Commissioner Infante-Green Announce Partnership with Hazel Health to Expand Mental Health Services for Students

Published on Thursday, October 17, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Aligned with Rhode Island’s commitment to addressing the growing youth mental health crisis and improving student attendance and outcomes, Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, RIDOH Director Dr. Jerome Larkin, and Bradley Hospital Director of the Adolescent Partial Hospital Program Gary Regan, joined Hazel Health Chief Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, district superintendents, and school leaders at the Rhode Island State House to announce a new partnership to expand access to comprehensive, virtual mental health services to students across the state. In the coming weeks, district leaders will work with RIDE and Hazel Health with the goal of making Rhode Island the first state on the East Coast to launch a statewide telehealth initiative of this kind. This new service will not replace current school and district-level efforts but rather complement them.

Hazel Health, the nation’s largest school-based telehealth provider, provides access to school-centered virtual health care services in school or at home to more than 4.7 million students across the nation. In Rhode Island, the service will be available to approximately 130,000 students, with mental health referrals generally for children ages 8 and older.

"As we continue to address the youth mental health crisis and promote regular school attendance, access to quality care is a top priority," said Governor Dan McKee. "This partnership with Hazel Health will help ensure that students and families across our state have the support they need, right when they need it, and without financial barriers. It’s a critical investment in our students’ well-being and future success.”

"The Rhode Island Department of Education is proud to reaffirm its commitment to increasing mental health supports for students through this first-of-its-kind statewide partnership with Hazel Health,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Over the last several years, RIDE has worked tirelessly to support Rhode Island school districts in addressing the grave impact the pandemic has had on our students and families. We share our gratitude with Hazel Health, our statewide partners, and all of our school-based mental health providers who go above and beyond for our kids every day. Through this partnership for services, we are seeking to break down barriers to care and building a foundation for healthier students ready to live and thrive. This is about giving every student a shot at success, no matter their background.”

Hazel's therapy programs span 17 states, including Massachusetts, and more than 4,600 schools in 178 districts. Of the 178 school districts, 47 partnerships focus on the whole child; 107 on mental health; and 25 on physical health. Mental health providers are licensed social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed mental health counselors. Approximately 50% of Hazel Health’s provider force identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and 40% of providers are bilingual. Mental health providers speak 29 languages; 31 languages are spoken between all providers.

“Rhode Island is tackling a critical challenge facing our schools today: the mental health of our children. We are committed to transformative interventions that not only improve children’s mental health but also empower them to thrive in their learning environments. Together with the Rhode Island Department of Education, we are proud to provide every student across the state with access to innovative, evidence-based, and clinically-validated virtual mental health services. This transformational partnership is not just about support; it’s about ensuring equitable access to all districts and families and igniting a brighter future for our students,” said Hazel Health President Andrew Post.

According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System administered by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one in three Rhode Island middle and high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless over a two-week period that they stopped doing their usual activities. Nearly one in six Rhode Island middle and high school students reported seriously considering attempting suicide over the past 12 months. Similar concerns surfaced in the 2024 administration of SurveyWorks, RIDE’s annual survey, which gathered responses from more than 130,000 students, educators, and families.  

“Healthy mental and emotional development is vital for a healthy childhood,” said RIDOH Director of Health Jerry Larkin. “We all need to be working to providing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for our children and teens. And yet, even when we do that, some of our kids will still need a little additional support to handle life's challenges. That is why this announcement today is so important. With this partnership students throughout the state will have seamless access to professionals with the experience and training to provide the support that is needed.”

A recent study conducted by Clemson University looked at the effect of Hazel Health’s therapy program. In an analysis of 3,500 students in middle and high school across 11 states, the study found that the program significant reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in 75% of students. The study also noted equitable improvement across race and gender.

The partnership reflects Rhode Island's broader push to improve school attendance rates and promote student achievement by addressing the root causes of absenteeism, including mental health challenges. Since the height of the pandemic, Rhode Island has seen a nearly 10 percentage point decline in chronic absenteeism through various on-the-ground efforts amplified by the nationally recognized #AttendanceMattersRI campaign. Early research indicates that Hazel’s therapy program can move the needle on chronic absenteeism. In one school district, 68% of students who engaged with Hazel’s therapy program improved their attendance since their referral, with more than 30% of students achieving perfect attendance.

“As superintendents, advocating for our students’ mental health has always been a top priority. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a significant increase in mental health challenges among our students, making it more critical than ever to provide the necessary support systems,” said Burrillville Superintendent and 2024 Superintendent of the Year Dr. Michael Sollitto. “When we have adequate mental health supports in place, it allows our schools to focus on academics and create a more conducive learning environment.”

“As a school administrator with experience as a school psychologist and assistant director of special education, I understand the unique needs of our students and how critical it is to provide tailored mental health support. Our goal is to ensure that students are present and surrounded by the right systems and supports,” said Chariho High School Principal and Secondary Director for the Rhode Island Association of School Principals Andrea Drake. “Today’s announcement of telehealth services is exciting because it will enhance the vital work already underway in our schools. Thanks to RIDE grants, Chariho has been able to train faculty in Youth Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed practices. We're especially proud of our Mental Health Awareness Club and Peer2Peer programs, which were created by students, for students. This is about building a culture of care where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.”

Since 2018, RIDE has sought and received more than $50 million in competitive federal grant funding, which includes three Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, two $10 million U.S. Department of Education grants to recruit and retain school mental health providers, and other efforts that directly support work happening at the school level. Learn more about RIDE’s commitment to mental health supports, a new educator wellbeing hub, and statewide resources to in this news release.

For additional information about Hazel Health, please visit hazel.co.

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