Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Roanoke County Public Schools has launched “Let’s Talk,” a new free telehealth counseling service available to elementary, middle and high school students and their families.
Through the program, families can receive up to five free counseling sessions to address issues such as relationships, stress, anxiety or depression, grief or loss, and other difficult life situations.
District officials said the service is designed to help address a shortage of licensed mental health counselors in the Roanoke Valley due to high demand. Let’s Talk connects students and families with counseling support through virtual sessions, helping reduce barriers such as transportation and scheduling.
“This program will support students and families through direct counseling, prevention, and early intervention services delivered by a contracted mental telehealth provider,” said Dr. Shawn Hughes, director of school counseling for Roanoke County Public Schools. “We’re working to improve access to care by reducing barriers such as transportation and scheduling challenges, supporting early identification and intervention for mental health concerns, and fostering a more supportive and responsive school environment that promotes wellness and academic success.”
The Let’s Talk service is powered by Gaggle Therapy and funded through a grant from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
Families can schedule a counseling session by visiting the Let’s Talk webpage at www.rcps.us/letstalk.
Let’s Talk is one of several mental health support services offered by the school division. For several years, the district has provided SpeakUp, an anonymous phone, text and email reporting system that allows students and parents to share concerns related to safety, bullying or a student’s mental health. Reports can be made by calling or texting 540-595-0706 or emailing speakup@student.rcps.us.
At the start of the 2025-26 school year, the district also launched ReachOut, a 24/7 mental health support and crisis line for middle and high school students and parents. The ReachOut line provides immediate assistance for urgent issues, including emotional support, grief or loss, and suicidal ideation. Students and parents can call or text 540-405-6650 for support.
Since 2018, every middle and high school in Roanoke County Public Schools has had a dedicated licensed mental health professional, known as a LIFE counselor. These counselors provide individual and group counseling, as well as education on approved mental health, trauma and substance-related topics for students, staff and parents.
In addition, every school in the division has one or more school counselors who provide academic and mental health support and guidance to promote students’ educational, career and personal development.
