As of October 1, 2023, Bernards High School officially partnered with Care Solace. The organization provides service to families in finding a personal counselor, substance or addiction treatment programs, and higher levels of care including partial hospitalization, high focus, GenPsych, and IOP programs.

Dr. Jamie Walker explains that as a result of the pandemic “a lot of healthcare providers and mental healthcare providers have been overloaded with new clients and it can be very time consuming to try to find somebody who’s available, who’s going to work to meet your needs, who’s affordable, and speaks your language.”

Care Solace allows access for both students and staff in the district, and keeps information anonymous, with the exception of initial counselor referrals. Referrals must also be approved by parents or guardians.

Dr. Walker notes that the organization “takes the onus and the time for seeking out services off of the family, and they do all of the leg work for you.”

Care Solace works to find the care that people need, while also being made accessible to any family. Once parents or guardians approve referrals they can then discuss these different parameters to best help their child.

These specifications include any financial needs and the organization may also match students with bilingual programs and counselors when applicable.

Dr. Walker further explains that “if a family didn’t have any insurance or they couldn’t afford the costly fees that some of the providers have they will help find a provider with a sliding scale, so they allow you to pay what can afford to pay based on your salary.”

Emphasizing the importance of taking care of your mental health, Dr. Walker notes that “you have to take care of yourself first.”

With the implementation of Care Solace into the district, Dr. Walker aims to “normalize addressing your mental health needs and reducing the stigma.”