BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) — The Bristol-Warren Regional School District is the first in the state to start using a new mental health app aimed at helping both students and staff.

More than 500 faculty members now have access to the “Counslr” app which includes unlimited texting sessions with licensed and vetted mental health professionals for free.

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, the service will be available to the district’s roughly 2,900 elementary, middle and high school students.

Josh Liss, CEO and co-founder of Counselr, said the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

“There’s a whole lot of students who need mental health support who don’t seek that support,” Liss explained.

Liss said research shows cost and inconvenience prevent people from getting the help they need.

“It can be a hassle to get to an appointment or find a therapist,” Liss said.

The stigma around mental health is also a big factor that particularly affects kids in school, according to Liss. His hope is that being able to text a professional for free will alleviate those factors.

“The need is great, and we are thrilled to begin working toward a solution with the Counslr team,” Bristol-Warren Superintendent Ama Riley said. “Mental health support is something we all could benefit from, no matter who we are – students or faculty.”

The district is using COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the $48,000 program. Liss said Counslr is working on expanding the app’s service to more schools in the near future.