High-Tech Mental Health Help

Students in Richfield Get Mental Health Help in a High-Tech Way

KSTP.COM October 11, 2016 08:21 AM

At Richfield High School, students are getting mental health counseling in a new, high-tech way.

It’s a service set up through the Park Nicollet Foundation, and it uses video conferencing to connect students at the school with Park Nicollet therapists at their clinics.

“Kids are open to talking to a screen because of all they do with their phones. They connect just like that in 30 seconds,” said Christa Getchell with the Park Nicollet Foundation.

The program just started in June, and already they’ve had 60 sessions. In fact, it’s becoming so popular there is already a student waiting list, and they are in the process of hiring another therapist.

Richfield High School
KSTP/Ellen Galles
“I think we have really acknowledged that you need to educate the entire child, and mental health is really one of the needs in our community,” said Richfield Superintendent Steve Unowsky.

Right now the program is in the Richfield and St. Louis Park school districts. They are hoping to expand to Brooklyn Center and Burnsville.