You may have heard about a teen mental health crisis in the US, and unfortunately, these aren’t just words. Data and observations from Talkspace therapists show that many teens are unwell. According to the latest data from the CDC42% of high school students reported feeling very sad or hopeless and in a survey of Talkspace providers who work with teens, 63% report that they believe the mental health of high school students has worsened over the past two years ( and only 8% say it has improved).
In fact, an alarming 17% of Maryland youth attempted suicide, according to 2021 CDC data. We know that across the country, too few teens in crisis receive the support they need, and almost 6 out of 10 young people with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment.
Baltimore County Public Schools counselors and administrators want to do everything they can to support the mental health of high school students in their district, which is why they have partnered with Talkspace. Now, any high school student ages 13 and up in a Baltimore County public high school can receive messaging therapy with a licensed Talkspace therapist and have access to a clinically proven online mental health program that they can complete on their own. rhythm.
Here’s how BCPS high school students can register:
- Visit talkspace.com/bcps and enter your preferred email and keyword to qualify. The keyword can be found on the Focus Student Portal announcements page.
- Answer a few questions about your emotions and mental state and you will receive a personalized support program through the Talkspace Go app. You’ll find mental health education and self-guided exercises designed for teens. You can complete online exercises and courses completely at your own pace.
- If you choose to receive individualized messaging therapy, you will be assigned a licensed therapist in Maryland within a day or two. Talkspace technology matches you with a therapist based on factors such as the issue you are struggling with and the therapist’s specialty.
- You can message your Talkspace therapist 24/7. Therapists generally respond every day, 5 days a week.
Messaging therapy takes place on Talkspace’s secure, encrypted platform, which can be accessed from teens’ smartphones, tablets or computers. They will be able to communicate with their therapist at any time with an unlimited number of private messages at no cost. The effectiveness of Talkspace message-based therapy has been validated by more than 20 published studies conducted in partnership with leading research institutions, including Columbia University and New York University.
Teens love the option to send messages and have daily access to their counselor, which is a big benefit of what Talkspace has to offer. Many teens seem more comfortable with messaging therapy; your availability seems comforting to them.
Talking Space Therapist Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
Talkspace’s team of therapists who are available to work with teens from Baltimore County public high schools have received special training in working with teens and have experience with a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, and more. But the therapy isn’t just for teens with a specific mental health need: the service is available to any student who simply wants someone to listen and help them deal with the typical stresses of modern teen life. Seeking therapy and other forms of mental health support even when there is no pressing issue to address can prevent the development of mental health problems by giving teens the tools they need to regulate their emotions and manage stress in a way healthy.
There is no simple solution to the mental health issues facing American teens, but offering them a space to be heard is a critical first step. Baltimore County Public Schools is providing that to its students, and we hope that by making caring and caring professionals available to these teens, so that support is always just a message away, your students can feel better now and develop ideas and knowledge. coping skills to support a mentally healthy future.
For more information about the program, including registration and parent/guardian consent, visit talkspace.com/bcps.
Are you interested in learning how Talkspace can support adolescent mental health in your school, district, or community? Get in touch for more information.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health and wellness contributors; They are based on scientific research and evidence-based practices. Our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists from various specialties) thoroughly review articles to ensure the content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
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