TCHATT stands for Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine. The program
offers mental health support and care to students.
- Free and no insurance needed.
- For students in pre-K to 12th grade.
- Virtual care for easy access.
- Statewide, coordinated through Texas schools and school districts.
- Licensed, local mental health clinicians anchored in 12 Texas medical schools.
- Majority of appointments occur within school environment to limit time away
from class/school.
- In over 6,000 campuses and around 70% of Texas school districts, available to
over 4 million students.
Students must have a quiet, private location for TCHATT services and a device with
internet access (a computer or smartphone).
No, TCHATT is provided at no cost to students, families, and schools.
If you’re concerned about a student’s mental health, consider TCHATT. We were designed specifically to support student mental health.
TCHATT is not a crisis service. If you think a student needs an evaluation today because they are actively suicidal or homicidal, or experiencing delusions or hallucinations, you should activate your school’s emergency protocol. Students with active plans or attempts at self-harm or harm to others need immediate attention.
Parents and guardians are an important part of a child’s TCHATT journey. It’s important for parents/guardians to know how treatment is going for their child. Parents/guardians must give consent for their child to join TCHATT.
- Parents/guardians must give consent for their child to join TCHATT.
- Parents/guardians must be part of an initial TCHATT assessment. The TCHATT clinician will discuss ongoing participation needs with parents/guardians.
- Students aged 18 and older can give their own consent and can choose to have their parents/guardians involved.
Absolutely. Research has shown virtual mental health care to be as effective as seeing a counselor in person for many children and youth. Reaching TCHATT clinicians via a computer or smartphone can make it easier for many students and families to get mental health support. We use evidence-based approaches to achieve positive outcomes for our students and work with parents/ guardians to ensure TCHATT is the best-fitting approach for their child.
TCHATT is open year-round, including winter, spring, and summer breaks. We are closed on most federal holidays. TCHATT is staffed Monday to Friday. Services that take place at school end when the school day ends; home-based services may be available later.
TCHATT partners with each school, district, and family to decide where and how mental health care will work best for their student(s).
- TCHATT is a virtual service only.
- Depending on the arrangement with your school and district, appointments may be in a private space at the school, another location, or home.
Mental health care and support can help students be more successful in school and have more self-confidence. TCHATT helps students reduce anxiety, manage emotions, and cope with challenges. Students who get treatment can and do improve.
Translators are provided for families when needed.
- TCHATT materials are available in English and Spanish. If you need them in other languages, please ask your TCHATT team.
Privacy matters. TCHATT is a confidential program separate from the school or district. What a student or parent/guardian shares in a TCHATT session is confidential. It is up to a parent/guardian if they’d like to sign a release to share more details with the school. Exceptions to confidentiality include concerns for safety or abuse.
