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Students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will soon have access to virtual mental health services. This initiative aims to address the growing mental health needs among youth. Starting in mid-March, around 110,000 high school students across the district will benefit from these services through Hazel Health, a leading provider of telehealth services for schools. The program is supported by an investment from UnitedHealthcare.
Pedro Martinez, CEO of CPS, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “Even before COVID-19, our students faced unique mental health challenges, and the need has only grown over the past several years. This new partnership with Hazel Health, combined with the support of UnitedHealthcare, highlights our District’s dedication to prioritizing the mental, social, and emotional health of both students and staff.”
The need for such services is underscored by data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicating that 43 percent of Chicago high school students reported persistent sadness—a significant increase over a decade. CPS's strategic plan focuses on student well-being as a priority.
UnitedHealthcare supports this initiative as part of a broader effort to provide virtual school-centered healthcare to up to one million students nationwide. Dan Parietti, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Illinois stated: “UnitedHealthcare is committed to improving the well-being of our community by providing students with the essential mental health support they need through collaborations like this one with Hazel Health.”
Josh Golomb, CEO of Hazel Health said: “We firmly believe that the challenges our communities are facing today should not get in the way of students having access to the support and quality services they deserve.” He added that their partnership with CPS aims at helping students navigate daily struggles while improving their overall health.
Hazel Health serves five million students across 17 states. A study by Clemson University found that 75% of participants in Hazel’s therapy program experienced significant reductions in depression and anxiety after six sessions on average. Additionally, early research suggests improvements in attendance among those who engaged with Hazel’s program.
For more information about Hazel Health's offerings, visit hazel.co.
