The Future of Student Mental Health in Orange County

Goshen, NY - Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and the Orange County Department of Mental Health (OCDMH) are determined to improve access to mental health support for the youth of Orange County through the expansion of satellite mental health offices within area schools.

"In Orange County communities, children of all ages are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues," said Neuhaus. "Adding these clinics within our schools will provide necessary treatment to those students who are suffering, as well as their families. By working together with the Department of Mental Health, we can help your child to be happier while being successful at school."

Being a parent can be stressful, so the OCDMH teamed up with the districts to offer support in the best and most convenient way possible. These clinics will provide a safe and accessible space for students to seek support and resources -from directly inside their own school.

"School-based satellite programs are near and dear to my heart, but they are also an incredibly effective way to increase access and reduce barriers to receiving services for the youth of Orange County," said Lacey Trimble, Commissioner of the Orange County Department of Mental Health and Social Services. "Families don't need to worry about transportation to appointments or taking time off work because the services are being brought to the child, and students don't need to miss a day of school to attend an appointment."

According to research from the OCDMH, children and teens are more likely to access and utilize mental health services when those services are in the safe confines of their school. Those same children and teens who receive these mental health services experience greatly improved outcomes. Last school year, our school satellites' average per student was 17 sessions, well above the national average. This exemplifies that our clinicians are doing a great job engaging the students as we continue to prioritize mental health.

"I am grateful to County Executive Neuhaus for continuingly supporting our expansion of school-based satellites," said Trimble, who started her social work career as a school-based mental health therapist. "This support has allowed us to provide services to hundreds of elementary to high school youth who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to receive the support they need."

Mental health is important for children of all ages because it helps them develop social skills, cope with problems, and ultimately reach developmental milestones. The implementation of these satellite clinics is a way to bridge the gap between mental health and education.

"We are coming together to make a positive impact on the well-being of our youth," said Neuhaus. "This is a giant step in the right direction in prioritizing mental health in our community."

The complete listing of Orange County Mental Health satellite clinics, located in 20 individual school buildings across eight districts.

Schools Pending include:

• Port Jervis High School - pending
• Port Jervis Middle School - pending
• Valley Central Middle School - pending

If you are interested in utilizing these services, please refer to the school district website.

For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus,, Director of Public Information and Media Relations at 845.291.2700 or [email protected].

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X. You can also watch Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on YouTube.

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