Sioux Falls Schools See 51% Drop in Student Self-Harm Threats

When kids struggle with mental health, getting help often means fighting through obstacles: finding transportation, missing work for appointments, battling stigma. But what if the therapist was already at school, just down the hall?

That's exactly what's happening in five Sioux Falls schools, where licensed Avera Health therapists have embedded themselves into the daily rhythm of classrooms and hallways. The result? Over 125 students are now getting weekly mental health support without ever leaving campus.

The numbers tell a powerful story. In just the first year of the Rooted in Schools program, student attendance jumped 14 percent among participants. Even more striking: statements indicating potential self-harm dropped by 51 percent.

"We believe this could be a blueprint for the future success of kids," said Thomas Otten, Avera's vice president of behavioral health. For many students, these in-school sessions represent their first connection to mental health care ever.

The program operates at Washington High School, Whittier Middle School, and three elementary schools. Each therapist serves about 25 students weekly, treating issues in real time before they escalate into adolescence or adulthood.

Heidi Thomas, who manages the program, says the therapists blend seamlessly into school life. They attend meetings, build relationships with teachers, and become familiar faces in hallways. Students can interact with them informally before ever sitting down for a formal session.

"A lot of times, these children are being referred because of behavioral challenges that go beyond what the classroom can support," Thomas explained. Often there's something bigger happening: trauma, significant loss, or major changes at home.

The Ripple Effect

The three-year pilot launched in late 2025 thanks to donor funding from the Seed for Success Foundation, coordinated through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. The partnership brought together philanthropy, healthcare, and education without creating another organization.

Funding ensures services remain accessible regardless of family income. Therapy gets billed through insurance when possible, with additional support covering any gaps. Transportation challenges, cost, stigma, and provider shortages no longer stand in the way.

Superintendent Jamie Nold sees impact beyond just the numbers. When students have relationships with adults they trust, they're more likely to confide and seek help. Seeing therapists as part of the school community normalizes getting support.

"The feedback has been incredible," Nold said. "It has a real impact in the classroom, on other kids and especially on that individual child and family."

The model came from successful programs in other states, particularly one in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Now Sioux Falls is building its own blueprint, proving that removing barriers to mental health care can create measurable change in students' lives.

As the program continues tracking academic performance, behavioral referrals, and anxiety scores, one thing is already clear: meeting kids where they are works.