March 14, 2023, Shasta County, CA - Our kids are struggling. According to NAMI, 64% of Californians ages 12–17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year. With an increased need for youth mental health services, a lack of access to mental health professionals, and rising costs, families struggle to get their kids the support they need.

To make youth mental health support more accessible, the Shasta County Office of Education is collaborating with Daybreak Health, a school-based youth mental health company, and Partnership Health Plan to provide teletherapy services to students in 13 Community Schools at no cost to families. This enables schools to provide quick access to 1:1 teletherapy with licensed clinicians for students (ages 10-19) struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, and more.

“The mental health needs of our students are at an all-time high,” said Joy Garcia, Director of Special Projects at the Shasta County Office of Education. “There are not enough resources in most communities to support our students’ needs. This program provides high-quality and equitable access to care with proven outcomes for students. This is not just a stop-gap service. It will help students build their skills to succeed in school and life.”

Daybreak’s 12-week, evidence-based teletherapy program includes progress monitoring and has proven outcomes. Across more than 85,000 collected assessment data points, Daybreak sees 81% of students improve clinically—meaning their symptoms reduce and their day-to-day functioning improves. In addition, 8 in 10 school staff report observable improvements in students' day-to-day at school, while 92% of parents see behavioral improvements.

Students are matched with a clinician based on presenting needs, language, culture, and preferences. Teletherapy allows for the flexibility that families need to meet with their therapist before, during, or after school hours, during weekends and school breaks. In addition, virtual sessions take no time away from school or work to access these services. 

“Our program treats students to a place of concrete improvement—symptomatically, functionally, and behaviorally—over the course of 12 weeks,” said Alex Alvarado, CEO of Daybreak Health. “Our partnership with the Shasta County Office of Education will enable students to have equal access to the mental health support they need. We are honored to work with students in the County and help them to live happier and healthier.”

For more information about this program, reach out to Wendy Hall at whall@shastacoe.org.

About Daybreak Health

Daybreak Health aims to create a world where every young person benefits from mental health support. In California alone, Daybreak works with 35 districts, supporting over 500,000 eligible students, to provide the most comprehensive school-based mental health programs for youth. We are driven to solve the most defining problem of an entire generation. Learn more at daybreakhealth.com/schools.

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Media Contact Information:

Kerri Schuette, Communications Officer, Shasta County Office of Education, kschuette@shastacoe.org

Emily Paisner, Head of Marketing, Daybreak Health, emily@daybreakhealth.com