PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (7News) — In the first year after COVID, the Prince William County School Board Chair told 7News that around 26% of Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) students were chronically absent and now that number is down to 15%.
Prince William County Public Schools are continuing to work to address chronic absenteeism and help students who are struggling with mental health issues.
“Every time there's a shooting, everyone says we need to do something about mental health. Then you look around and what have we done? So this year, we're doing something about it,” said Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef.
He said PWCS is now offering every student access to tele-mental health services.
“Whether you blame it on COVID lockdowns or social media, we have seen a rise in mental health concerns across all age groups and as a physician, I see it as well,” said Lateef.
PWCS is partnering with Hazel Health to provide tele-mental health services to students.
Lateef said it costs county taxpayers about $2 million a year, which is about $15 a student.
Lateef said Hazel Health’s nationwide results are promising when it comes to reducing student chronic absenteeism and improving academic performance.
“One of the new studies they did showed that any time a student engages, 40% of them reduce their chronic absenteeism to zero,” said Lateef. “Anxiety and depression symptoms have improved 60, 70% in different cohorts.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is trying to bring tele-behavioral health access to Virginia kids in grades 6 - 12. But first, Youngkin must get state lawmakers to fund the program.
“We've seen a massive increase in teen suicide in young girls,” Youngkin told 7News. “We've seen a massive increase in depression in young boys. And we've got to get to work here, and that's what we've been doing. Right help right now was a big first step in a transformational effort in our entire behavioral health system.”
Lateef hopes lawmakers will back Youngkin’s plan.
“That would be fantastic,” said Lateef. “Districts like ours, districts like Fairfax, we might have more money to be able to do these things.”
But he said smaller school districts may not have the funds to give students access to mental health services.
“And if the state can do this, I think it's a great investment,” said Lateef.
