public school districts are offering online therapy sessions to reach millions of students, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. The California mother watched her typically bubbly second-grader retreat into her bedroom and spend afternoons curled up in bed.įor Valerie Aguirre’s daughter in Hawaii, a spate of middle school “friend drama” escalated into violence and online bullying that left the 12-year-old feeling disconnected and lonely.īoth children received help through telehealth therapy, a service that schools around the country are offering in response to soaring mental health struggles among American youth. Girls ganged up, calling her “fat” and “ugly.” Boys tripped and pushed her.

Trouble with playground bullies started for Maria Ishoo’s daughter in elementary school.