Grand Canyon Times

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has announced a new initiative to provide mental health support through telehealth in Arizona's rural counties. The program, developed in partnership with Cartwheel, aims to offer students and families rapid access to mental health services.

Horne emphasized the importance of parental involvement, stating, "Empowering parents is a cornerstone of my administration. This partnership with Cartwheel will help ensure that students in rural areas who wish to speak with counselors can do so with the appropriate permission and supervision of their parents."

The initiative addresses the increasing demand for mental health support across Arizona. According to Phoenix Children's experts, nearly 90% of Arizona communities face a shortage of mental health providers. A 2021 study by the Arizona Department of Health Services also revealed that over one-third of Arizona teens reported poor mental health.

The telehealth services will be available to all school districts and charter schools in 13 rural counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma. These regions encompass around 250 school districts and charter schools serving approximately 200,000 students.

The program offers support for various mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Participation is voluntary and requires parental consent. Students typically receive weekly sessions over two to six months. Cartwheel accepts all insurance plans including Medicaid and Tricare; funding is available for uninsured students through an ADE contract.

Dr. Juliana Chen from Cartwheel expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with the Arizona Department of Education to provide schools...with timely evidence-based mental health support." Cheryl Mango-Paget highlighted the necessity for innovative solutions due to counselor shortages in rural areas: "Telehealth services...offer a vital bridge."

Stacy Anderson from the Arizona Association of School Psychologists noted the critical need for increased access: “Having more access to mental wellness services is both needed and critical."

Interested parties can register at www.cartwheel.org/arizona.