Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) announced on Wednesday, August 28, a new partnership with Hazel Health to help address the rising mental health needs of students. Staggering statistics highlight the urgency of this issue: approximately 20% of U.S. children aged 3 to 17 experience mental health issues, yet 80% do not receive the necessary care. In Iowa, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 5-24.
“Our Board of Education has advocated for services, and we continue to seek more help. We simply don’t have enough. Hazel Health allows us to knock down barriers to accessing mental health services,” commented CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover.
Thanks to a $1.5 million investment from UnitedHealthcare and the State of Iowa, Hazel Health will provide timely access to high-quality mental health care from a team of locally licensed therapists without any out-of-pocket cost for families. Their licensed therapists are local, speak multiple languages, understand cultural differences, and are experts in the unique needs of children and teens. This new telehealth service will be available inside and outside of school hours on any internet-connected device.
The District announced the new partnership with Hazel Health at a special roundtable event on Wednesday at Washington High School. Hannah Stuelke, a University of Iowa basketball player and Washington High School alumni, joined CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover, Tanager Place’s school-based psychotherapist Larry Johnson, and four Washington student leaders. The group discussed the current youth mental health crisis and the barriers students face to getting help.
“I started talking to someone, and it felt so good to release that. You always think people will think you’re weak when you go and talk to someone, but I think that’s the strongest thing you can do,” shared Hannah Stuelke.
CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover hopes this program will help break the stigma around talking about mental health and eliminate barriers for students to receive care.
“We’re hoping these programs will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and support to help them overcome the anxiety or depression associated with mental health,” Grover said.
The new program hopes to start seeing students by September 18th.