Every Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle school student can access free virtual mental health therapy through Hazel Health, the district announced in its Sept. 15 newsletter.

The expansion applies to all FCPS middle schools, including Cooper Middle School on Balls Hill Road in McLean. FCPS, led by Superintendent Michelle Reid, first partnered with Hazel Health in 2023 to offer teletherapy to high schoolers. The program opened to middle schoolers on July 1.

The service is free.

Hazel Health provides therapy through secure video sessions students can access from home on a computer, tablet or smartphone. Licensed therapists can help with anxiety, grief, bullying, academic stress, peer and family relationships, sexual identity challenges and changes in mood or behavior, according to an FCPS announcement in June. Half of Hazel's providers identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color, and 40% are bilingual, speaking more than 15 languages.

The district described the program as an effort to "eliminate barriers to quality mental health care" for students, according to the FCPS teletherapy page. FCPS said families who are seeking mental health support for their child, noticing changes in behavior, or having difficulty finding a therapist in the community should contact Hazel Health directly. Parents can enroll at the FCPS teletherapy page or reach out to their school's counselor, psychologist or social worker.

FFXnow reported in August that the 2026-27 school calendar includes only four early-release Wednesdays for elementary schools, down from eight last year. One of those falls on Wednesday, Sept. 30, when elementary schools in the McLean, Langley and Falls Church pyramids, among others, will dismiss three hours early. FCPS schools and offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 21, for Yom Kippur.