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Montgomery County Public Schools offering round-the-clock counseling for students

The mental health service is free and available to students 24/7

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Montgomery County Public Schools is offering free mental health help for students through a service called Reach Out by Gaggle, which is available even when they are not in the classroom.

The school division provides free 24/7 assistance to high school students and those at its alternative school.

Since September, students have been able to speak with a counselor by calling or texting. If counselors are concerned, they will contact staff or law enforcement.

“Every student from time to time has a struggle, has a need, feels lonely, has a question about friendship issues, has a worry or a doubt or a fear, and then, of course, it goes up into the higher levels of students who may be experiencing depression or extreme anxiety,” said the Director of Student Services and Safety Jason Garretson.

Garretson noted that parents, teachers and students appreciate Reach Out, which is in a pilot program. This service is being offered in addition to the counselors that are available at each school.

At the end of the academic year, Montgomery County Public Schools will determine whether to extend or expand Reach Out to middle school students.

“We know they learn best when they’re in their best state physically and emotionally, and so we have to support that part of the student before we can really support the academic functions,” said Garretson.

Montgomery County will also look at whether they want to provide other services by Gaggle, such as virtual counseling.

Since 2019, the school division has provided mental health days for staff, which function like sick days.

Other school divisions across our five zones are also helping students with their mental health.

For instance, Alleghany Highlands Public Schools partners with community resources, such as the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board, for services that students may need.

In a statement from the school division, Communications Specialist Darrell Gleason stated, “We are also pleased to use a variety of approaches to support student wellness and positive choices. Our school board is regularly briefed on these resources, which include Drug Abuse Resistance Education, commonly referred to as D.A.R.E., as well as Botvin Life Skills and similar programs.”

Roanoke City Public Schools provides free virtual mental and physical health services through a partnership with Hazel Health.

Roanoke County Public Schools has a staff of licensed mental health counselors at its secondary schools.

Henry County Public Schools said they have school counselors in every school and provide Therapeutic Day Treatment counselors for students who require more mental health support.

Henry County Public Schools also said in an email, “This year, we launched Project Success, a new prevention program available in all HCPS middle and high schools. Project Success is a student assistance program aimed at providing early intervention and support services to help prevent or reduce substance abuse. Through this program, trained staff from Piedmont Community Services are available to assist students with mental health, social-emotional needs, and substance use concerns.”


About the Author
Keshia Lynn headshot

Keshia Lynn is a Multimedia Journalist for WSLS. She was born and raised in Maryland and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Society from American University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.