When the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools contracted with Community Health to expand mental health services for students, there was much speculation on what would happen next. The HSE School Board received a report from Mental Health Coordinator Brooke Lawson and representatives from Community Health Wednesday night.
Before the Community contract, Aspire worked with 50 students in four schools. As of now, 21 schools have 13 licensed therapists and a crisis liaison, with 415 students now receiving mental health care.
Of those being treated, 70 percent of those in high school have been diagnosed with depression, nearly 50 percent of middle school students under treatment have been diagnosed with anxiety and about 39 percent of elementary school students receiving mental health services have been diagnosed with anxiety.
Of those being treated under the HSE contract with Community Health, 31 percent are receiving insurance coverage under Medicaid and 69 percent are covered by private insurance. When asked by board member Terry Tolle how students with little or no insurance, or high deductibles, are handled, Community Health says they have always found ways to provide services to students needing treatment.
You can read the entire report presented to the board at this link.