COHOES, N.Y. -- Cohoes Middle School now has a Behavioral Health Center in its building to service the Cohoes City School District. The center is part of Northern Rivers Family of Services and provides counseling services for students.
“One in five adolescents will experience a mental health episode or crisis in their lifetime,” said Bill Gettman, the CEO of Northern Rivers.
“It’s about getting kids the care that they need and breaking down all the barriers: distance, accessibility and the stigma,” said David Rossetti, Northern Rivers' chief officer.
The partnership allows students to see a clinician in school for counseling services.
“We believe that centrally locating the behavioral health center at the middle school will be more convenient for all of our families,” said Cohoes superintendent Dr. Jennifer Spring.
“The school can get the child where they’re supposed to go in a really low-key fashion, and the parents can meet them for the appointment,” said District Physician Mary Kate DiTursi.
The center will accept Medicaid, commercial insurance and payments for service.
“You’re going into a very private, confidential office,” said Rossetti.
This district joins eight others in the Capital Region utilizing these centers.
“A lot of times with families, transportation is very difficult, so having us within the school, it will be a lot easier for families,” said Krouse, the clinician who will be working at the center.
“Behavioral health needs are as unique as your kids and as common as strep throat, so there’s really no reason not to use the service, and there are a lot of reasons to use the service,” DiTursi said.