August 22, 2022

Gaggle and AWS Collaborate to Create Mental Health Hotline for K-12 Students

A According to an Education Week analysis, 5.4 million students were enrolled in 5.4 percent of school districts across the country in 2020 that did not have a school psychologist. This is a shocking statistic, and something had to be done to address it. This is where Gaggle, a leader in assisting K-12 districts in managing student safety on school-provided technology, comes in.

Through the collaboration, Gaggle launched ReachOut, a tool designed to provide immediate support to students experiencing any type of mental or emotional crisis. Students can contact a crisis counsellor via phone, text message, or any other method that is most convenient for them through the helpline.

…schools need partners that can help us support our students in the moments they need it most, which is often after-hours when school staff may not be readily accessible…

Gaggle’s CEO told the press in a statement, “We created ReachOut to provide immediate support to students who not only need to be listened to but also advised by trained coaches who can handle crisis situations, hopefully preventing things from getting worse.”

Sources close to the partnership told us that through ReachOut, Gaggle wants to work with school districts to improve access to mental health care in order to defuse situations by giving students quick support as they successfully deal with their difficulties.

Gaggle's actions to address children's mental health issues pleased many teachers, principals, and school directors. One of those happy with Gaggle’s plan is Dr. Karen A. Fildes, Director of Technology and Communications for New Fairfield Public Schools/Town of New Fairfield.

"Schools need partners that can help us support our students in the moments they need it most, which is often after-hours when school staff may not be readily accessible," she stated. "ReachOut is a gamechanger in crisis support for our students, particularly at a time when it is needed more than ever," she added. Having someone to reach out to in times of crisis who can listen and direct students to appropriate services will save lives.

Posted in Collaborations and tagged Collaborations, AWS, Gaggle, Mental Health Hotline, ReachOut
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