The partnership for the School-Based Telebehavioral Health program began in 2019 and allows students to speak with a licensed counselor through video conference sessions, said Alexis Webb, PISD’s executive director of guidance and counseling. The sessions are available to district students at no cost to the district or families. Parents and guardians can also join their child's session.
The overview
The partnership allows families, whose children may need additional support, to be connected to mental health professionals, Webb said. The counseling sessions are on a short-term basis, but Children’s Health can connect families to a broader network of care, she said.
“The telebehavioral partnership is a way to support our students and families,” Webb said.
The number of students utilizing these services has increased 84% since the 2019-20 school year, according to data tracked by Children’s Health.More families are reaching out to the district for support, Webb said, noting that it is important for children to access mental health services before behaviors develop into a more serious problem.
“Early prevention is key,” she said.
The behavioral health of students is also being addressed daily by PISD staff.
Every campus has counselors to support student’s academic, personal and social-emotional needs, Webb said. PISD will also have facilitators to determine if students have a disability that requires an accommodation in the 2024-25 school year, she said.
Learn more
Parents know their children best and should look for changes in behavior to identify if their student is undergoing a stressful or emotional situation, Webb said.
Signs of a stressed child that parents can watch out for include:
- Emotional outbursts or increased irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Negative changes in school performance
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches
- Increased defiance
