HOUSTON, Texas — Texas has expanded access to mental health care for students in the Houston area through the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, a state-funded initiative launched in 2019 to address the growing mental health needs of children and teenagers.
The program connects students in participating school districts with licensed pediatric psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists via telemedicine.
Services include mental health assessments, therapy sessions, and consultations, covering concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and peer-related challenges.
Kim Gushanas, a licensed psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), said the goal is to reach as many students as possible by working directly with school systems across the state. According to Gushanas, any school district in Texas can enroll in the program, and any student within those districts can access its services with parental consent.
TCHATT has seen growing demand, particularly as students continue to face the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified issues related to stress, isolation, and uncertainty. Mental health professionals also note that the rise in youth mental health concerns predates the pandemic.
The program is designed for accessibility and convenience, allowing students to receive care during school hours or at home. Parents, especially of younger children, often participate in the sessions. TCHATT also helps relieve pressure on school counselors, many of whom are overwhelmed by demand and lack specialized mental health training.
To facilitate services, TCHATT provides schools with equipment such as iPads and trains staff to assist with virtual appointments. The initiative is particularly useful for rural and underserved areas where in-person mental health services may be limited.
Currently, 155 school districts in Southeast Texas participate in the program, reaching more than 1 million students. While awareness of TCHATT is growing, officials say many families remain unaware of its availability. Information is often shared through school counselors and word of mouth.
Parents interested in learning whether their child’s school is enrolled in TCHATT can visit the program’s official website or contact their school’s counseling office.
