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The Ohio State University is launching a new mental health initiative to expand teletherapy services for nearly 70,000 students across its five campuses.
“Our goal is to build upon a student experience that is not only free of stigma around mental health but where students feel supported and encouraged to seek help if they are experiencing mental health challenges,” said Ryan Lovell, associate vice president for student health and well-being at The Ohio State University.
As such, Ohio State is collaborating with mental health and wellness solution Uwill, whose proprietary technology enables students to facilitate appointments with licensed mental health counselors based on their needs and preferences.
The university plans to enhance its existing on-campus counseling capabilities with additional teletherapy that matches students seeking help with a licensed therapist based on student needs and preferences.
Uwill partners with more than 100 institutions including Boston College, University of Michigan, American Public University System, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which are among the growing number of universities prioritizing investment in teletherapy and other digital mental health support to augment their on-campus counseling offering.
“Supporting student mental and emotional health is central to our ongoing commitment to making good on the promise of higher education for the students we serve — and these expanded digital resources align well with this work,” said Lovell.
Ohio State’s partnership with Uwill is an extension of its existing services supporting student mental health and well-being. Teletherapy through Uwill as well as academic accommodation support and more mental health and well-being resources and programs to students are part of a nearly $2.5 million award from the state of Ohio.