Philly HopeLine in Partnership with Uplift

School District of Philadelphia to Launch Philly HopeLine in Partnership with Uplift Center for Grieving Children

New resource to provide mental health support for District students, families in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic PHILADELPHIA — In conjunction with National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, celebrated today, the School District of Philadelphia is announcing a partnership with Uplift Center for Grieving Children to offer the Philly HopeLine, a new resource where District students and families can obtain mental health services. Philly HopeLine will officially launch Monday, May 11.

“Here at the District, we recognize the mental and emotional toll this pandemic and the subsequent closing of schools may be having on our students, families and caregivers,” said Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. “There are students who miss their friends and teachers, seniors who are disappointed about missing out on traditional events like prom and graduation, and caregivers who are struggling with children learning at home, while many times also working from home themselves. We are proud to work with Uplift to provide services to anyone who may need them during this difficult time.”

Launching during National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Philly HopeLine will be staffed by clinicians employed by Uplift and will offer counseling services for students, parents and guardians. It will be available by phone at 1-833-PHL-HOPE (1-833-745-4673) and by text at the same number.

“Uplift Center for Grieving Children has extensive expertise in supporting Philadelphia’s youth and families in times of grief, loss, and crisis,” said Uplift Executive Director Darcy Walker Krause, J.D., LSW. “We are honored to partner with the School District of Philadelphia on the Philly HopeLine, which, to our knowledge, represents one of the only partnerships between a district of this size and an organization like ours. This innovative resource will offer an outlet and support system for students and caregivers struggling at this time.”

The service will allow students and families to speak with clinicians by video and by phone. If students and families call outside the window of operation, they will have the option of leaving a message and will be provided with a crisis phone number in case of an emergency. All messages will be returned the next day.

Beginning Monday, May 11, clinicians will be available via Philly HopeLine Mondays through Fridays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and holidays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Uplift has previously provided services in the District, including free grief support services to children, families, and teachers in schools and community organizations and post-crisis support in the aftermath of the death of a student, teacher, or staff member.

More information about the entire complement of services the District is providing to students and families while schools are closed can be found online at philasd.org.

More information on services offered by Uplift Center for Grieving Children can be found online at www.upliftphilly.org/uplift-at-home