TAMPA, Fla. — The school day is often busy at Mort Elementary, a Community Partnership School.

Principal Kelly Snellgrove often makes rounds, checking in on students, teachers and staff. This year, there is a new staff member helping kids. 

The school now has a bilingual mental health therapist who comes in once a week. 

“Right here, I can sit next to them or across from them,” says Lourdes Gonzalez Anaya, as she gives a small tour in the room where she sees kids. 

Gonzalez Anaya is contracted through the Children’s Home Society. She helps provide anxiety screenings and trauma-informed counseling. 

“They tell me about how they are feeling, what is going on at school, and any problems or issues they might be having right now. Then we just process it, and talk to them about it,” said Gonzalez Anaya.

While not a usual school staff position right now, if all goes well at Mort Elementary, this position may get expanded to other Hillsborough County schools.

This position was made possible by a $20,000 donation from Aetna, a CVS company. On Tuesday, many community leaders came together to celebrate this happening. 

“Our students will ask me at car rides in the morning if today is their day for counseling. And if it is not, they will be like, ‘When is it?’ And I will say, ‘Your day is tomorrow,’” said Snellgrove. 

The need to address mental health in most schools is great, especially following the pandemic. Mort Elementary’s student population is 72% Hispanic. 

Gonzalez Anya is bilingual and can help students no matter their preferred language. 

“Just having someone there to listen to them, speak their language or have some time with them so they can express how they feel,” said Gonzalez Anaya.

When kids feel good, safe and heard, they can focus on being kids and learning. 

Anxiety screening on students is offered on a voluntary basis by parents who are concerned. 

Therapy sessions are primarily scheduled during the school day, but can also happen after school or even via a telehealth conference.