Hospital-School Liaison Program at Riverside Healthcare: A Much-Needed Community Resource

In response to a growing community need, Riverside Healthcare has partnered with local school districts to provide critical mental health support for students. Recognizing the gap in accessible therapy services within schools, the organization has developed a program where licensed clinicians deliver individual and group therapy directly on school campuses.

This initiative, created in response to a well-identified need over the past three years, underscores Riverside's commitment to addressing the mental health challenges faced by students and supporting the broader community. Marla Bernard, school liaison for the Riverside Behavioral Health Department, shares what the program entails and why it’s so valuable.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

A typical day for Barnard involves visiting schools and providing counseling services to students referred by school counselors, social workers, or families. Operating across multiple schools each week, she maintains a structured schedule, meeting with the same students regularly while reassessing their needs at the end of each semester or quarter. One pressing issue, especially as of late, has been an increased presence of both anxiety and depression.

“COVID didn't help. A lot of school anxiety turns into school refusal,” states Barnard. “The only cure for school anxiety is to go to school, but then, God bless the parents, they just want to help and feel like they're doing the best by their child. So, they engage in this rescuing behavior of, ‘Okay, I'll let you stay home.’ Then, of course, the more we avoid things, the worse it gets in our own minds.”

Why Trust and Transparency Is So Important

Building trust with students, parents, and school staff is essential when addressing mental health needs, and Barnard approaches this with transparency, respect, and active listening. Recognizing the lingering stigma around mental health, she begins by fully disclosing her role, her intentions, and how she can help, ensuring parents provide informed consent before any sessions.

With students, it’s important to respect their boundaries, offering the option to simply "give it a chance" without pressure. By focusing on connection and listening to their concerns, this helps them feel heard and supported, often paving the way for meaningful conversations and ongoing trust.

“Everybody's a little different. Some kids are just so easy. They'll sit down and tell you everything. With other kids, you really have to ask the right questions to start reframing and helping them change their faulty narratives to set their fears at ease,” notes Barnard. “But most, I would say, are very willing because it's a sense of relief. Finally, help is here. They know they don't have to stay home.”

Developing and Honing the Right Mental Health Tools

In order to promote continued success among kids who need a little extra help, Barnard reinforces the value of developing certain “tools” so kids can really thrive. She provides an analogy of being a mountain climber.

“We all know in this thing called life, there are mountains before us. But, people who are successful at climbing mountains, they use the right tools and safety harnesses, the right equipment,” she shares. “We can do the hard things, but sometimes we need help believing, and we need to be shown what to do. Kids we meet with this program are very receptive to that.”

To inquire about the school liaison program, phone 815-936-7373. For more information on Riverside's behavioral health services, go to riversidehealthcare.org/services/behavioral-health.