St. LOUIS, Mo. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Despite having youth on their side many teenagers are in need of healthcare and are missing critical services, especially in urban areas. For some, school-based healthcare centers may be filling the gap. Instead of teens going to the doctor, the doctor is going to them.
Eighteen-year-old Payton Robinson has been struggling with a rash on her scalp, but it was what was going on inside that really had her searching for help.
Robinson detailed, “I used to have real bad problems with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and all that.”
Mental health issues that easily could have gone untreated, but in Robinson’s case, a medical safety net.
Sarah Garwood, M.D., a pediatrician at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is a specialist in adolescent medicine. During the school year her clinic is inside a local high school.
“Kinda overcomes barriers that some students would face in terms of transportation and parents needing to take time off of work. Some kids who may not be insured or underinsured can also access services that might have been hard for them to get otherwise,” explained Dr. Garwood.
Nationwide, there are 2,000 health centers operating within high schools. In addition to medical, dental and mental health services, some centers offer substance abuse counseling, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and contraception.
“In the state of Missouri, minors can consent for contraceptive care, and for pregnancy testing and care,” Dr. Garwood told Ivanhoe.
In this center called “The Spot”, students also get help with homework and job training … or just have a quiet place to decompress.
Robinson said, “I was able to talk to somebody about my problems, and everything just fell into place.”
Rochelle Moore, MA, a clinical case manager at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, told Ivanhoe, “If we’re able to help with mental health issues, with trauma issues, with employment or utility assistance that helps the community at large.”
The doctor is in the house, keeping at-risk kids off the streets.
The high school in Jennings, Missouri has 650 students. Dr. Garwood and her colleagues had 250 visits in a one-year period from students looking for services. The clinic is funded by a combination of grants. It offers care to students even if they aren’t covered by insurance.
Contributors to this news report include: Jessica Sanchez, Supervising Producer; Cyndy McGrath, Field Producer; Milvionne Chery, Assistant Producer; Tony D’Astoli, Editor; Brent Sucher, Videographer.
