North Carolina Rolls Out Virtual Mental Health Care with Hazel Health | Edtech News

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will begin offering virtual mental health care to nearly 400,000 students through a partnership with Hazel Health.

Supported by UnitedHealthcare, the rollout is part of a wider plan to bring school-based teletherapy to up to one million students across multiple states.

The initiative, which covers nearly 30% of the state’s K–12 student population, will launch in late March 2025 starting with Harnett County Schools and Durham Public Schools. Additional districts are expected to join in the coming weeks. Enrolled students in participating schools will be able to access licensed therapists from Hazel Health before, during, or after the school day.

Program goals and early access

NCDHHS says the effort is designed to reduce access barriers, such as cost, transportation, and provider shortage, and connect students with early intervention and mental health support through the school setting.

Dev Sangvai, secretary of NCDHHS, said:

“Services like school-based telehealth are critical to improving access to mental health care because they meet children and families where they are with the care they need. We look forward to partnering with our public schools and Hazel Health to further the department’s ongoing work to transform North Carolina’s mental health system and create better outcomes for children and families.”

According to NCDHHS, over one-third of high school students and nearly one-third of middle school students in North Carolina report feeling sad or hopeless. While some data show slight improvement, officials note persistent unmet needs.

Support from state and national partners

Kelly Crosbie, director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, said:

“Many children in schools lack access to essential mental health services, with barriers ranging from provider shortages to cost. Schools are an essential part of a child’s life, so expanding access to direct mental health care in school addresses the gap in care and can improve a child’s wellbeing, academic performance, social relationships and long-term development.”

Hazel Health operates in 18 states. A third-party evaluation by Clemson University found that 75% of students in Hazel’s therapy program experienced clinically significant reductions in depression and anxiety after an average of six sessions. According to Hazel, 68% of students also improved their attendance following participation in the program.

Anita Bachmann, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina, said: “School-based healthcare is essential to removing obstacles to care, such as transportation and time limitations, to allow for early identification and treatment of behavioral conditions for children of all ages. We are honored to collaborate with NCDHHS and Hazel Health to ensure that students in select districts – including Harnett and Durham Public Schools – have access to critical mental health services to help them be successful in and out of the classroom.”

Andrew Post, president of Hazel Health, said: “The cross-functional, public-private partnership in North Carolina shows a deep commitment to ensuring that all students have access to the mental health support they need. When we prioritize student wellbeing and health now, we’re doing more than boosting their academic achievements – we’re building the groundwork for them to thrive throughout their entire lives.”