Shelby County Government has partnered with the University of Memphis SMART Center program to offer mental health tele-suites for students.
Middle and high school students will be able to log on to the online services to access 30- to 45-minute counseling and psychotherapy services from the SMART Center, a Mid-South tele-behavioral health clinic that provides online services to youth and their families and caregivers.
“Those of us who work with young people at the University of Memphis SMART Center are happy to be part of this important collaboration,” said Dr. Susan Elswick, University of Memphis Smart Center Founder, in a press release.
This service will be offered to students logging on at these 10 locations: Trezevant High School, Booker T. Washington High School, Booker T. Washington Wellness Center, Cordova Middle School, Grandview Heights Middle School, Hamilton K-8 School, Hamilton High School, Westside Middle School, MLK Prep High School, and the Youth & Family Resource Center.
“Everyone should have access to mental health care, including our youth,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said in the press release. “Studies have shown that mental health services for youth and their families can make a tremendous difference in their lives. This is particularly true now, after the harrowing time we have all had because of the pandemic.”
The Shelby County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to donate 10 computers to the University of Memphis SMART Center. “This donation of computers from Shelby County will allow us to connect with students who, under other circumstances, have extreme difficulties accessing mental health care,” Elswick added.
The SMART center will identify students in need of mental health care services together with school counselors and other personnel. Once a student’s session is scheduled, the student can use a private room to log on to the services. The tele-suites are slated to open later this year.