McNeese State University in Louisiana is partnering with Uwill, a mental health solutions provider, to launch a digital mental health and teletherapy tool.
“Mental health support is a key component of how we serve our students. The current generation of college students requires a diverse and flexible approach to mental health,” said Dr. Kedrick Nicholas, Dean of Student Affairs at McNeese State. “It is very beneficial to have a partnership with Uwill because their services allow us to meet the needs of our students by enhancing and expanding therapy options.”
The new tool enables the university to offer a mental health and wellness environment 24/7/365 to its students. By using Uwill’s program, students will be able to make immediate appointments with licensed mental health counselors based on their needs and preferences. The school explained that Uwill’s solution offers all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness events, and real-time data.
“I commend the McNeese State team for taking these steps to enhance mental health support and for their commitment to student success and well-being, embodying the values of our university system,” said Rick Gallot, president of the University of Louisiana System. “We look forward to working with institutions across our system as they work to expand high-quality mental health support services that are responsive to the needs of our students.”
McNeese State’s decision to expand access to mental health services aligns with other statewide efforts to expand access to those kinds of services. Thanks to a significant investment from the state government, state colleges and universities are scheduled to receive $17 million in mental health funding beginning this month. The Louisiana state legislature recently authorized a new grant program to be dispersed across 32 eligible Louisiana institutions.
“Mental health and wellness aren’t luxuries, they are necessities. They are also a cornerstone of success for students in higher education today, who are more likely to face complex education, work, and family caregiving responsibilities,” said Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education. “During a time when the stakes for students are so high, we are so pleased to see campus leaders and systems prioritize expanded access to student mental health support.”
