Panhandle ISD Launches HELPme App for Students and Families

PANHANDLE, Texas (KFDA) – Panhandle ISD is working to make it easier for students, parents and staff to reach out for help.

HELPme is an app that gives you direct access to self-help resources, school or community support, and a 24/7 crisis hotline – all through an app.

HELPme is a district-wide mental health support program that students can turn to if they are feeling anxious or frustrated.

“The app is so comprehensive. It has everything from the National Crisis Prevention Line to the First Baptist Food Bank, which can be beneficial to Panhandle residents,” said Dr. John Sherrill, superintendent of Panhandle ISD. “Whether you need something national or something local, it really is a one-stop shop.”

Panhandle ISD has rolled out the app to all of its schools and has already received feedback from students.

“I was able to connect with parents who had serious concerns and they were confirmed. The parents appreciated that I was taking care of their child and showing concern,” said Tiffany Carr, Panhandle ISD elementary and secondary counselor.

HELPme offers three ways to share resources depending on your comfort level, self-help, crisis text hotline, and school or community support.

“They don’t know who to go to and who to report to, so most of our kids are pretty tech savvy these days. So if they know to just say, ‘Hey, I can go here, click here and report,’ whether it’s about themselves or someone else,” Carr said.

School officials say the plan is to teach students from kindergarten through grade 12 how to use the app.

They plan to conduct training with students by the end of October, and the app will be available on Chromebooks at school.