New app connects youths to mental health help

McHenry County youths now have faster and easier access via text to mental health resources with a new mobile app called "MCHELP."

Originally launched as "Text A Tip," the app is an anonymous texting service that provides McHenry County youth the ability to confidentially text concerns - 24 hours a day, seven days a week - to trained, licensed mental health counselors.

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 partnered with The McHenry County Community Foundation in the fall of 2015 to launch the service and The Foundation committed to funding it for three years.

"We are extremely grateful to The Foundation and the anonymous donor for their commitment to provide a resource for students across McHenry County who struggle with mental health concerns," District 47 Superintendent Kathy Hinz said. "Students cannot learn unless they first have their basic needs met. MCHELP connects students with resources to help get those needs met and District 47 schools are happy to promote and support the program and mobile app launch."

Student input from focus groups conducted by The Foundation last spring led to rebranding of the Text A Tip service as MCHELP. Students also sought a faster, easier way to connect.

"The students provided valuable feedback about the program, and the best way to reach them and their fellow students with information about it," said Robin Doeden, McHenry County Community Foundation executive director. "Thanks to their honest insight and ideas, the program now has the app to make connecting easier, a new look that is more attractive, and a new name that causes less confusion about the purpose."

The service, started by Glenview-based LEAD (Linking Efforts Against Drugs), still is available in its traditional form where students type in the code "MCHELP" and text it along with their concern to a designated six-digit number. The new mobile app eliminates a step in the process; since there is no need to enter a code, students can begin typing concerns right away.

During the 2015-16 school year, about 5,000 texts were received from students through Text A Tip. Concerns reported ranged from depression and anxiety to bullying and stress. Licensed counselors from Child and Adolescent Family Recovery Center in Hoffman Estates managed incoming texts last year. Over the past six months, the service has transitioned to the McHenry County Crisis Center.

The MCHELP app can be downloaded for free from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. New marketing materials are being designed and printed to promote the new changes to the service and will be distributed to schools, local law enforcement agencies and mental health providers countywide.