Pilot Program Gives Students Access to Mental Healthcare

Posted Date: 06/03/2020

April 2, 2019 – Students at two Amarillo ISD secondary schools have the opportunity to be part of a small pilot program designed to give teens access to mental healthcare, while removing stigmas. The program, aimed to study and address the mental healthcare needs of students in the State of Texas, is being administered by DialCare and started in late March at Tascosa High School and Austin Middle School. Because it is a pilot program, only the two AISD campuses can participate.

Students can reach counselors for appointments lasting up to 30 minutes via phone or video chat. Once the initial contact is made by a student, consent from a parent or guardian of students under the age of 18 is required before other counseling sessions can continue. Three-way conversations are available for parents or guardians who prefer to be involved in the conversation.

“DialCare is not meant to be a replacement or crisis program. It is meant to give students another way to reach out for help from wherever they are,” said Lindsey Hernandez, lead counselor at Tascosa High School. “Amarillo ISD joined this pilot program because we care deeply about the whole health of each of our students.”

DialCare is a telemedicine solution that connects students to licensed mental health professionals using a safe, secure and private platform. AISD is one of three school districts in Texas given the opportunity to join this groundbreaking study. DialCare services are free to the students and families who use it for the remainder of the school year.