Philadelphia School District Launches No Cost, Web-based Mental Health Counseling for Students
(Philadelphia, Pa.) --- The School District of Philadelphia has begun offering web based mental health counseling to all students free of charge, as part of a partnership with Kooth US. Students will have immediate, confidential access to professional support, self-help content, anonymous safe, moderated forums, journaling, goal setting, and therapeutic activities from their smartphones and computers.
The service has been made available to the district at no cost to students, parents or the school thanks to a grant funded by the state budget.
“My life as a student was shaped by strong schools and good teachers. Both are keys to active student participation and success,” said district Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed. D. “Our children in Philadelphia are faced with senseless violence and trauma. That’s why we’re enhancing mental health services for our 6-12th grade students by giving them access to Kooth, an international leader in online youth mental health resources”
According to the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, (published February 2023): • 42 percent of high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities. • 1 in 3 high school girls have seriously considered suicide. This is a 60 percent increase from a decade ago. • In an average classroom of 30, three will attempt to end their lives this year (10 percent of all students).
“For too many young people, counseling has been out of reach and we see them struggling with increasing rates of mental health challenges,” said Kooth US General Manager Kevin Winters. “Students are facing unique issues, and Kooth knew we needed to create a unique solution. We’re so proud to offer this product to the School District of Philadelphia and other schools across the state of Pennsylvania.”
As of today, more than 80,000 students across the state will have access to Kooth and the company has delivered more than 1 million hours of therapy internationally.
Media Enquiries Contact Brittany Crampsie (717) 712-3840
About Kooth: Kooth is a leading digital mental health platform. Our mission is to provide accessible and safe spaces for everyone to achieve better mental health. Our platform is clinically robust and accredited to provide a range of therapeutic support and interventions. All our services are predicated on easy access to make early intervention and prevention a reality.