Columbus Schools Boost On-Site Mental Health Counseling Amid Crisis

Columbus City Schools, Ohio's largest district serving over 50,000 students, has deepened ties with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County to embed mental health services directly in classrooms. ADAMH partners with providers across 16 Franklin County public school districts, including Columbus, offering prevention programs, individual counseling, and crisis intervention for issues like anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide prevention. Key collaborators include Nationwide Children's Hospital's Nakeia Hudson, North Community Counseling Centers' Rebekah McCarty and Sarah Callaway, and Directions for Youth & Families' Joseluis Guajardo, providing on-site screenings, family workshops, and youth-led initiatives.

The expansion builds on a 2015 partnership between Columbus City Schools and Nationwide Children's Hospital, which introduced school-based wellness programs to address rising student needs. Amid national trends of increasing youth mental health crises exacerbated by the pandemic, these services include immediate crisis support via the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Youth Crisis Line at 614.722.1800, alongside referrals for higher-level care. District resources also extend to staff through apps like Calm Health and Headspace, ensuring educators can better support students.

This initiative aligns with Columbus City Schools' strategic priorities for student wellness, integrating mental health into broader efforts like community partnerships with Columbus Public Health's Samantha Fellows and the Columbus Urban League's Dr. John Tyus. By focusing on early intervention in high-need urban areas like Columbus' south and east sides, the programs target at-risk students, promoting healthy coping and reducing barriers to care in underserved Franklin County communities.