In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed education for most students across the country. Since then, districts have had to shift between in-person learning, distance learning, and hybrid models to ensure the safety of both students and educators during this incredibly unpredictable time.
While some students have been able to thrive in virtual learning environments, many have been left longing for those in-person connections, resulting in increased rates of student depression and anxiety. How can educators support these struggling students in the post-COVID-19 era as they transition back to the classroom full time? And what funding is available to promote these efforts?
Our new Back to Class: Student Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Era report, authored by Dr. Kecia Ray and Susan Gentz from K20Connect, dives into the funding streams currently available to school districts. The report also details how to utilize these funds to promote student mental health, ways districts and states can collaborate to help students cope with the aftereffects of the pandemic, and how educators can provide the necessary support for students with disabilities.
In the report, Dr. Ray and Gentz recommend being bold with the available funding—and the flexibility offered with these funds—to ensure that any student who needs to talk with a counselor has access to do so. Students deserve the tools they need to get back on track following this unusual time, and the first step is access to a professional listener who is ready to support those who are struggling.
If you are looking to add therapy services in your district, Gaggle Therapy can help. Our teletherapy service partners school districts with state-licensed mental health professionals for weekly virtual therapy sessions that can be scheduled to suit students’ needs. Each therapy session takes place over a secure HIPAA-compliant video call, making it easy and accessible for students to meet with their therapist.
To learn more about the available funds, including funding that can be used for services like Gaggle Therapy, read our Back to Class: Student Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Era report.
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