The rise of telehealth therapy services in response to the increasing mental health struggles among American youth is creating a booming new business, with venture capitalists investing in school teletherapy companies. At least 16 of the 20 largest public school districts in the US now offer online therapy sessions, with contracts worth over $70 million. While some experts raise concerns about the quality of care provided by fast-growing tech companies, educators argue that teletherapy is meeting a massive need, especially for rural schools and lower-income students who find it easier to access therapy through this platform.

Maria Ishoo, a mother from California, shares her daughter's experience with playground bullies that led to a decline in her mental well-being. Girls would gang up on her, calling her names like “fat” and "ugly," while boys would trip and push her. This led to her daughter retreating into her bedroom, spending afternoons curled up in bed. However, after enrolling her daughter in a teletherapy program offered by her school district, Ishoo witnessed a positive transformation. Her daughter received weekly sessions that helped her open up to a therapist, providing her with coping tools and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety. Ishoo's daughter learned that she was in charge of her own emotions and that it's okay to ask for help when needed.

The Lancaster school district, where Ishoo's daughter attends, has counselors and psychologists on staff, but the demand far exceeds the available resources. Teletherapy has filled this gap by allowing students to schedule virtual sessions within days, offering them immediate access to mental health support. Students and their parents have reported turning to teletherapy to address feelings of sadness, loneliness, academic stress, and anxiety. The transition back to in-person school after distance learning has been particularly challenging for many, with fractured friendships, deteriorating social skills, and increased temper flare-ups.

With the alarming rates of youth depression, anxiety, and suicide, schools are utilizing federal pandemic relief money to cover the cost of teletherapy services. Most school districts have signed contracts with private companies, while others collaborate with local healthcare providers, nonprofits, or state programs. However, the competition between telehealth providers and school districts has made it increasingly difficult to hire school counselors and psychologists. The executive director of Counseling in Schools, Kevin Dahill-Fuchel, emphasizes the need for qualified therapists with experience in working with children and strict privacy protocols.

One of the prominent teletherapy providers, Hazel Health, headquartered in San Francisco, started offering telemedicine health services in schools in 2016 and expanded to mental health services in May 2021. With over 300 clinicians providing teletherapy in 150 school districts across 15 states, the company has secured significant contracts with Los Angeles County, Hawaii, Clark County schools, Miami-Dade, Prince George's, and Houston schools. Hazel Health's CEO, Josh Golomb, assures that the company prioritizes child welfare over profit and has raised $51.5 million in venture capital funding for expansion.

While the rapid growth of teletherapy companies is filling a crucial gap in mental health services for students, concerns about the qualifications of therapists, their experience with children, and privacy protocols remain. Despite these concerns, teletherapy has become a vital resource for schools to address the mental health crisis affecting American youth.