Antone's Nightclub
Out of Reach Preach
RECEIVED Thu., April 14, 2022
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your article about the distressing lack of mental health services for AISD students since the district switched to Gramercy as a provider. [“Out of Reach,” News, April 15] This reflects my experience trying to get help for a vulnerable 9th grade student with severe mental health concerns who is frequently contemplating suicide, through AISD and Gramercy. Though I have been working with her parents to request mental health services for her for six months straight via AISD, she has yet to be contacted by a counselor. The many promises made of counseling, and the hopes dashed, have worsened her mental health. One problem with the new model of electronic forms is that it requires parents to be highly computer literate to approve and request services. Her parents are not – which is the case for many students. The need to follow up with a phone call after submitting electronic forms was not communicated to me and is not communicated in the process online. The barriers to services are so high that even a family with a dogged, dedicated advocate cannot get treatment for a student who has been in crisis for over a year. AISD should cancel the contract with Gramercy and reinstate VIDA Clinic, which did actually give students mental health care – not just broken promises.
Thank you for your article about the distressing lack of mental health services for AISD students since the district switched to Gramercy as a provider. [“Out of Reach,” News, April 15] This reflects my experience trying to get help for a vulnerable 9th grade student with severe mental health concerns who is frequently contemplating suicide, through AISD and Gramercy. Though I have been working with her parents to request mental health services for her for six months straight via AISD, she has yet to be contacted by a counselor. The many promises made of counseling, and the hopes dashed, have worsened her mental health. One problem with the new model of electronic forms is that it requires parents to be highly computer literate to approve and request services. Her parents are not – which is the case for many students. The need to follow up with a phone call after submitting electronic forms was not communicated to me and is not communicated in the process online. The barriers to services are so high that even a family with a dogged, dedicated advocate cannot get treatment for a student who has been in crisis for over a year. AISD should cancel the contract with Gramercy and reinstate VIDA Clinic, which did actually give students mental health care – not just broken promises.
Abe Louise Young