Karen Burkes, Director of State Operated Healthcare Facilities | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Karen Burkes, Director of State Operated Healthcare Facilities | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced a partnership with Hazel Health to provide virtual mental health services to K-12 students in the state. Supported by an investment from UnitedHealthcare, this initiative aims to extend school-centered mental health care to up to one million students across various states.
In North Carolina, nearly 400,000 students, representing almost 30% of the state's K-12 population, will have access to Hazel Health's services. Students in participating districts can connect with licensed therapists from Hazel before, during, and after school hours. The program will begin in late March 2025 with Harnett County Schools and Durham Public Schools, with additional districts joining soon.
"Services like school-based telehealth are critical to improving access to mental health care because they meet children and families where they are with the care they need," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "We look forward to partnering with our public schools and Hazel Health."
According to recent data, over one-third of high school students in North Carolina report feelings of sadness or hopelessness. While there are signs of improvement, challenges remain significant.
"Many children in schools lack access to essential mental health services," said Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health. "Expanding access to direct mental health care in school addresses the gap in care."
Yvonne Copeland from NCDHHS noted that "mental health challenges—such as anxiety, depression, and trauma—can severely impact a child’s ability." She emphasized that tele-behavioral healthcare services can remove barriers like transportation issues and financial constraints.
Anita Bachmann from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan highlighted the importance of removing obstacles such as transportation limitations for early identification and treatment of behavioral conditions.
Andrew Post from Hazel Health stated that "the cross-functional public-private partnership shows a deep commitment" toward ensuring student well-being.
Hazel Health is recognized as a leading provider of school-centered telehealth services nationwide. A study by Clemson University revealed that 75% of students using Hazel's therapy experienced significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms after six sessions on average. Furthermore, their program reportedly improved student attendance rates significantly.
For more information about these initiatives or Hazel Health's programs, visit hazel.co.
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