from maryland largest HBCU connects students and therapists
BALTIMORE, October 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — If 95% of students surveyed feel their mental health has been negatively affected in the past year, why is it that only 1 in 3 BIPOC Americans get the help they need? This question begins to offer insight into the difficulties faced by many young adults from diverse backgrounds who do not receive much-needed mental health support. “Economic mobility opportunities will not be possible unless we provide the mentoring and support that is an important factor in ensuring student success,” said Dr. aisha franciscoPresident of Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, a private institution with 74% students of color. To reduce stigma and increase accessibility around mental health, many institutions are turning to scalable technologies designed to help their existing campus counseling centers deliver inclusive, flexible, and equitable mental health resources and support.
Morgan State University is one of many schools launching a solution that gives students immediate access to licensed therapists based on needs and preferences, including gender and ethnicity. “As the largest HBCU in Maryland, we are committed to expanding the promise and opportunity of higher education to a multiethnic, multiracial, and multinational student body. This means prioritizing mental health and wellness so our students can achieve academic success,” said Dr. sonia clyburnDirector of Counseling Services at Morgan State University. “Using the Uwill environment, students can select counselors that match their ethnicity, language, or demographic preferences, reflecting our mission to provide students with resources that meet their unique needs.”
“As the leading teletherapy platform within higher education, we seek to provide a personalized approach to telehealth that enables students to get the support they need, when they need it, from a counselor they can connect and bond with,” he said. michael london, Founder and CEO of Uwill. “Emerging technology like ours helps universities respond to the ongoing challenges students face.”
Uwill aims to remove barriers by providing free and accessible therapy. According to the US Census Bureau, African Americans are about 1.5 times less likely to be covered by health insurance, an observed barrier to accessing therapy.
“Staying free for students has been a priority. You don’t need insurance to get help from Uwill,” London said. “One of the greatest difficulties facing underrepresented populations today is lack of access to sufficient care due to stigma, family disapproval or lack of opportunity,” said counselor de Uwill. Stephanie Black Dos Santos“Uwill’s goal of ensuring free therapy for all college students with easy and discreet access helps overcome these obstacles.”
Ultimately, to best support the whole student for success in college and beyond, building a strong foundation of mental health and providing all students with ample opportunities to get the help they need is critical. “The past eighteen months have exacerbated a campus-wide mental health crisis that affects students and faculty alike,” said Dr. russell hubrispresident of Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, a Wisconsin tribal college was also associated with Uwill. “Tribal colleges like LCOOC have felt this pain more acutely than other institutions, so it’s especially important that we meet the college community where they are and provide access to a diverse group of advisors. The Uwill ecosystem and the broader team of counselors allow us to do just that.”
Morgan State University The partnership with Uwill also includes an immediate and direct crisis connection that has quickly gained popularity because it eliminates the common approach of a combination of an initial assessment, phone tree, or triage. The solution has been designed to expand the capacity of morgan state counseling center and give more students the support they need. Using its proprietary technology and team of counselors, Uwill pioneered the first higher education and wellness environment therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate connection to a licensed counselor available based on student preferences, all teletherapy modalities, a 24/7/365 crisis connection, wellness programming , detailed reports and support.
About Uwill
Uwill has become the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. The most cost-effective way to supplement a university’s mental health offerings, Uwill partners with more than 100 institutions, including Boston College, University of MichiganAmerican Public University System, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Uwill is also NASPA’s Teletherapy Educational Partner. For more information visit www.uwill.com
SOURCE Uwill, Inc.
.
