Bridging the gap between students and accessible mental healthcare. One school at a time, we’re shaping a brighter, stronger future for our communities.
Who We Are
​The Student Therapy Access Project (STAP) is a Baltimore-based nonprofit dedicated to removing the barriers students face when trying to access timely, affordable mental-health care. We believe every young person deserves the support, safety, and tools needed to thrive—both in and beyond the classroom.
Our Story
STAP was founded by Jackson Seling, who created this organization after recognizing how difficult it can be to navigate mental-health challenges without support. Having personally experienced the impact that untreated mental-health struggles can have on daily life, Jackson saw how deeply students could benefit from access to help early on—before problems grow heavier or harder to manage.
STAP’s mission is to ensure that all students can receive mental-health evaluations, early intervention, and ongoing therapeutic support through their schools, regardless of income, background, or insurance status.
Across Maryland, thousands of students silently struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and overwhelming stress. While physical exams are required for school readiness, mental-health needs are often neglected until they reach a crisis point.
STAP aims to change this by creating a proactive system of care that reaches students where they are—right inside the classroom.
Our Mission
Why We Exist
What We Do
We work directly with schools, families, and licensed mental-health professionals to:
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Implement standardized, age-appropriate mental-health checkups
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Provide students with direct access to school-based therapists
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Support schools with training, structure, and clinical partnerships
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Offer early intervention before problems escalate
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Advocate for statewide legislation that expands access and funding
Our model integrates early screening, in-school therapeutic support, and strong community partnerships. It is designed to be comprehensive, sustainable, and easily adopted by public schools.
A Maryland where every student has guaranteed access to the mental-health support they need—where early identification prevents crises, stigma is reduced, and emotional wellness is recognized as a vital part of education and child development.​
Our Approach
Our Vision
STAP is committed to expanding our model across Baltimore County and, ultimately, statewide. We aim to lead a movement that makes school-based mental-health care a standard part of public education across the nation.