Fairfax County Public Schools middle school students gained access to free virtual mental health counseling through Hazel Health on July 1, expanding a program that previously served only high schoolers.

The district, led by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, has partnered with Hazel Health since 2023 to offer teletherapy to students. Until July, the service was limited to high school campuses across the county. The expansion was confirmed in an FCPS newsletter published July 22.

For Reston families, the change means students at South Lakes pyramid middle schools have access to licensed therapists through virtual sessions at no cost. Parents can find enrollment links and program details on the FCPS teletherapy page.

FCPS said in its Sept. 16 newsletter that parents should contact Hazel Health directly for mental health support. The district encouraged families to reach out if they have noticed changes in their child's mood or behavior or are having difficulty connecting with a therapist in the community. The district said it simplified the referral process so families can connect with services faster.

Hazel Health's therapists work with students on anxiety, bullying, peer and family relationships, academic stress, grief and mood or behavior changes, according to district materials shared at Herndon High School's back-to-school night. Sessions are private and confidential. Parents initiate referrals.

When the program served only high schoolers, sessions were available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to a November 2025 FCPS newsletter. The district has not published updated hours for the middle school program.

FCPS has not released enrollment figures or said how many of the county's middle schools are participating, though district materials describe the service as available to "all" middle and high school students.

Also from the Sept. 16 newsletter: FCPS schools and offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 21, for Yom Kippur. South Lakes pyramid elementary schools will dismiss three hours early on Wednesday, Sept. 30, one of 12 pyramid-wide early releases scheduled across the county that day.