8th therapist and flexibility good for student mental health
We recently learned that Butler Area School District will staff its eighth therapist through Glade Run Lutheran Services starting this fall.
In a school board meeting June 12, superintendent Brian White said the district was able to add another therapist because Glade Run’s reimbursement amount for existing therapists exceeded the district’s projections.
We’ve been outspoken in the past regarding student mental health and the toll the pandemic has taken on their schooling and well-being.
The mental health of students trying to return to life as normal this past school year and beyond should be top priority, and Butler Area School District is proving their dedication to helping as much as possible.
What’s particularly impressive is the flexibility with which the therapy can be provided.
Students can ask their school counselors for a referral form, which must be signed by a parent or guardian. In some cases, White said, the suggestion to see a therapist can come from a teacher, guidance counselor or a parent.
Maggie Caesar, vice president of clinical programs at Glade Run, said their staff works with the students’ schedules to ensure therapy sessions are not disruptive to learning. Therapy takes place once a week during non-core classes, study halls, lunches or extracurricular activities.
Some students may realize they need the support, but if they have an overloaded schedule or the availability is limited, it makes it much more difficult. The new therapist ensures it shouldn’t be an issue.
Kudos to Butler Area School district for their intense focus on their students. Sheila Talarico, vice president of development and external affairs at Glade Run, said mental health goes hand in hand with academic success.
We couldn’t agree more.
— CM
