“The goal is to provide mental health services to students right in our local high schools. Corewell regularly works with communities in areas that we serve and looks for areas of opportunity in need. Mental health has been identified as a huge area of need,” said Brandon Holmes, Director of School Behavioral Health Telemedicine Program.
It works as a traditional outpatient therapy with the therapist and the patient working out a plan of care and coordinating with parents. The program now serves 18 schools in West Michigan, including Thornapple Kellogg High School, where it was implemented three years ago. The Corewell professionals work hand-in-hand with the high school guidance counselors and administrators.
Most referrals to the Corewell program come directly from school counselors, but students can also self-refer themselves for counseling and parents can also seek help for their child by working with school counselors. Generally, students can have an appointment scheduled with a Corewell Health social worker at school within a few days of referral. Students simply attend their private appointments at school with a social worker working around their class schedules for the most suitable times.
“It’s a fast turnaround and I think that’s what is really unique with this program. We can get students in so quickly whereas if you go to another counseling office it could take weeks or months,” said Natalie Steensma, Patient Services Representative at TKHS.
“The kids are there. They’re a captive audience. Once they get home, parents' lives are busy and they're either not able to get them into services or whatever the case may be. So, this is the perfect opportunity to treat those kids where they are,” said Holmes.
He said last year TK’s program was the second busiest program of all the schools where the program has been implemented. In the 2023-24 school year, social workers at TK saw 77 different students with a total of 785 total visits. Many students continue counseling for six months or even the full year. The Corewell team added a second social worker at TK in the last year to provide even more service. Already in 2024-25, Corewell social workers have worked with 42 different students.
“Almost every kid I see has some type of anxiety - whether it's due to adjustment disorder, a recent divorce, a recent death in the family, struggles focusing in school, or struggling with peers. I haven’t had too many students come in with bullying concerns. It’s usually more of just the normal peer navigation when you’re in high school and trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in,” said Mandy Bowman, social worker for Corewell.
Insecurities from home are also issues she sees regularly whether it’s a student not knowing if they’ll have food for tomorrow, or things like parents not being available because they are working two jobs and having to leave students home alone.
“I just help them navigate through a lot of different things going on in their lives and help them find coping skills,” said Bowman. “Our sessions are very client focused so we meet them where they are at. They’re not forced to come more than they need or want to, and they're not forced to talk about anything they don’t want to talk about.”
How often students attend therapy is totally up to them and their treatment plan. Some visit throughout the entire school year and over the summer months, while others may only want or need a few sessions. Some may have a few sessions early and then come back later in the school year. Therapists are also available during school breaks and throughout the summer through this same program.
All the sessions are strictly confidential with a dedicated space away from classrooms. Steensma greets students as they come in and helps them start their telemed session in a private room. Each room is decorated with calming and soothing sounds and colors and offers a safe space for students to meet with their therapist. Conversations cannot be heard outside the individual rooms.
Steensma said she believes the program is working well at TK. “I really think this program being here at TK has normalized the conversation about mental health. We’re creating awareness and we’re providing a safe place for them to come and get help. We’re trying to help stomp out the stigma that exists today about mental health.”
Bowman agreed. “I think a lot of the stigma is being broken and a lot of kids are feeling more comfortable telling their friends they’re in therapy or they encourage their friends to come see me in therapy. They can see for themselves how much they’ve grown and how much they’ve changed. They’re thankful for the opportunity to be able to focus on mental health.”
She continued, “Some have told me they never would have come to therapy if it weren’t for this program and finding that it really can help. A lot of the kids just seem really grateful that it’s here and knowing that if something does happen there’s someone at the school that can help. I’ve noticed that’s been really helpful for them in curbing their anxiety symptoms because they don't feel like if they have a panic attack at school, it’s game over. They know they have somewhere to come and talk and feel better.”
Steensma’s family has personally seen the affects of mental health, she said, “I lost two family members to suicide, and I just want to let people know that it’s my personal mission to make this a very successful program at TKHS. I’ve spent most of my life working in mental health, whether it was teaching psychology classes or working in inpatient settings with adolescents and adults. I’ll do whatever I can to make this program successful. It means a lot to me. I live in this community, so I want to be able to help students here.”
Holmes said he believes the program is making a difference. “We love this program. With the continued success of what we’re seeing in TK and with the continued support from the community, it’s our hope that this program will just continue on indefinitely. I think there’s a need and I think we’re helping a lot of students.”
The program is partially funded through donations to assist families who don’t have insurance or have high copayments. Donations to the Corewell Health Foundation help support this program for all students.