Southside ISD is First to House Onsite Mental Health Support for Students

SHS Clarity Onsite Center 2

(San Antonio, TX)—The Southside ISD Board of Trustees approved a first-of-its-kind partnership. Southside ISD will be the first district in the area to have an on-site Mental Health Support Guidance Center. Clarity is the only nonprofit in South Texas solely dedicated to the behavioral health needs of children ages 3 to 17. 

Although Clarity currently has on-site services at two other area school districts, Assistant Superintendent Miguel Castillo says this partnership will be unique in that this will be the first time Clarity will have an on-site center at the campus and in the district. “ This will take away some of the obstacles of cost and travel. It will also mean an easier transition for our students back to the classroom.” 

Southside ISD is a mostly rural school district, and transportation and access to medical health are already challenging for some families in the area. Getting access to behavioral and mental health can be even more challenging. There are no psychiatrists in the South San Antonio area codes and only two known therapists. Clarity would be providing onsite services like  

  • Outpatient services for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years enrolled with Southside ISD.
  • Participants will attend daily therapeutic sessions and group counseling.
  • Individual and family therapy will be conducted according to the participants’ individualized treatment plan. 
  • A member of the Clarity medical staff will complete psychiatric visits at least twice weekly, either in person or via telehealth.  
  • The center allows children to spend the day receiving care from mental health professionals and then return home during the evening. 

These are just a few of the services that will be available at no cost to those on Medicaid or on a sliding-scale payment plan for those without insurance. Insured families will be able to pay co-pays. 

At the board meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Board President, Jesse Hernandez said, “[We] definitely see the need I know we have the need and so being able to bring it closer to us and be here no closer than our campus that is just wonderful.” 

Board Vice President Katie Farias expressed how she has seen, through her work and personally, how sparse services are throughout South Texas, and trustee Brenda Olivares expressed her approval by saying, “ I love this; it is so needed in this area.” 

Castillo says this is also so impactful because “Southside ISD has a history of being underrepresented or not represented at all when it comes to the realm of social, emotional health, and mental health services. This will enable access to all our students and help our families. 

Clarity will be housed in a section of the high school campus.

     Reception area for future SISD Clarity Center.

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