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No matter who you are, how old you are or where you are, life can present hardships that impact your mental health. You may, however, feel a sense of shame to admit that you are not okay. Mental health can be a taboo topic in our society, but in Aurora Public Schools, it's a top priority. We know students can't learn if they are struggling to cope with life's challenges. Thankfully, our community agrees.
In 2018, Aurora residents passed a mill levy override to invest in our students' well being. These funds helped grow our Mental Health and Counseling team and, most recently, provided all APS students with free access to a teletherapy service called Hazel Health.
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Kim Kaspar, APS Northwest Learning Community Mental Health and Counseling Coordinator, said she is honored to have helped ensure a successful launch of this thriving partnership.
"This is the first time we have done a districtwide rollout of this magnitude," Kaspar shared. "Within the first three weeks of implementation, Hazel received more than 100 referrals from
our schools."
The difference, she says? There is never a waitlist for students to book therapy visits. Students can meet virtually with Hazel's licensed therapists before, during and after school.
One APS parent exclaimed to a Hazel Health case manager that she was surprised at how easy it was to schedule sessions for all three of her children in a single phone call.
"You have no idea how hard it has been to find a place that will take my three kids," the parent said. "Thank you so much!"
Kaspar believes Hazel Health will continue to have a positive impact on APS students and families. Although the top three most-reported symptoms our students are experiencing these days are anxiety, depression and trauma, parents can rest assured that help is just a call away. Hazel Health supplements the work of school-based mental health professionals to help more students.
Students are encouraged to contact their school counselors or visit my.hazel.co/aurorak12/info to learn more about Hazel Health's convenient service.