Dozens of Hinsdale Central High School students have received free mental health counseling through a school-based partnership that now needs community donations to keep running through the summer and into next school year.
The Insight Collaboration pairs Hinsdale Central social workers with licensed counselors at The Community House to connect students to therapy at no cost. Social workers identify students who would benefit, then coordinate directly with The Community House's Counseling Center at 415 W. Eighth Street. The program runs on donor funds, not PTO dues, and all contributions are tax-deductible.
Denys Kang, writing for the Hinsdale Central PTO on May 30, said mental health needs don't pause when school lets out. The PTO stated it is committed to ensuring any student who needs social and emotional support can get it regardless of family finances, and said dozens of students have already received help through the program.
No fundraising target or per-student cost has been disclosed.
The Community House Counseling Center serves clients age 8 and older, operates Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and offers a sliding-scale fee structure for families paying on their own.
Residents who want to support the Insight Collaboration can donate online at hcpto.org/donate or mail a check to the Hinsdale Central PTO with "Insight Collaboration" in the memo line. Questions go to [email protected].
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Hinsdale Education Week Ahead
Thursday, June 25 — District 86 Regular Board Meeting. This is the last scheduled regular meeting before incoming Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit begins Wednesday, July 1. Board members: Catherine Greenspon (president), Bobby Fischer, Liz Mitha, Asma Akhras, Baron Leacock, Mary Satchwell, Jeff Waters. Meeting details and agenda available at the District 86 board portal. Public comment procedures are posted on the district website.
