School Based Mental Health Program

School based mental health services are now available to students and their families at your child’s school.

New Hanover County Health and Human Services has partnered with New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) to provide mental health services for students and their families. The county provides licensed clinical therapists at all NHCS elementary and middle Schools.

How do I know if my child needs mental health care?

Some behaviors to watch for include but are not limited to the following:

Withdrawn from family or friends

Hanging out with a new group of friends

Talking about death

Showing anger through aggression

Changes in academic performance

Threatening to harm themselves

Acting out in class in ways not typical

Loss of interest in things they enjoy

How do I get my child this service and what should they expect?

Parents can call their child’s school and request to speak with the school-based therapist.

Referrals can also be made by your child’s pediatrician, school social worker, school counselor, teacher, principal, and other community providers.

Parent involvement is MANDATORY and ESSENTIAL for success! Children will be most successful if their parents/guardians are involved in their treatment.

You will be asked to actively participate in an assessment process where we discuss current concerns, and history and create a plan for treatment by establishing goals.

Who will know?

Confidentiality

A therapist and a client engage in a confidential -- or private – relationship.

The legal guardian of a child must give the therapist permission and specific instructions on exchanging information with the school and other community providers.

Mental Health professionals are required by law to report any situation where a client claims they are being hurt, threatening to hurt themselves, or harm someone else. If this happens, confidentiality must be broken, and action taken.

What now?

If you feel that your child could benefit from mental health services, please reach out to the therapist at your child's school.