School Texting Programs: Mental Health Encouragement for High School Students

Sometimes a high schooler just needs a little extra encouragement and a short reminder about what’s important and what’s not. School texting campaigns can provide just that – low-key reminders about mental health topics delivered in brief nuggets through a teenager’s cell phone.

Two programs in Jacksonville and Lincoln, IL, hope to provide timely and targeted content that encourages high school students during what can be a stressful season of life.

“Nationwide surveys have shown that nearly half of all adolescents have experienced mental health struggles like anxiety or depression,” said community health consultant Molly McLain with Lincoln Memorial Hospital (LMH). “We wanted to give students at LCHS the tools and resources they need to address these issues in a healthy way.”

With that in mind, Lincoln Memorial Hospital launched a text message campaign in fall of 2024. “Railer Reach Out” took aim at improving the well-being of freshmen at Lincoln Community High School as part of the LMH Youth Mental Health coalition.

Students responded favorably to the regularly scheduled texts.

“All of them have been useful – they give me a boost for the day!” said one student. Another noted: “I’m not dealing with any of the specific issues, but they are informational.”

Focus groups accompanied the text program. McLain was encouraged at how many students provided thoughtful ideas for future topics through the focus groups.

“They have sparked great conversations and really have helped us shape this resource into something that truly reflects their needs,” she said. Eventually she hopes to expand Railer Reach Out to other grades and Logan County schools.

In Jacksonville, a partnership between Jacksonville Memorial Hospital (JMH), Jacksonville School District 117 and the Morgan County Health Department is trying a new mental health text messaging program also aimed at incoming freshmen this fall.

Through a voluntary sign-up for “Mindline,” freshmen students will receive two to three short mental health text messages each month on topics including safe social media use, available mental health resources, vaping, school-related stressors like Homecoming, athletics, performance stress or finals. Messages aim to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and promote emotional well-being.

“We are excited about the potential for this program to start at the freshmen level and go with these students through their high school careers,” said Claire Peak, community health coordinator for JMH. “High school can be a stressful time with increased deadlines, relationship anxiety and other pressures. Our goal is to come alongside these teens with targeted encouragement and support through short text messaging each month.”

Additional Resources

Mental Health Resources for Young People and Adults

Teens, Acne and Your Healthcare Team