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During the inaugural New Jersey Higher Education Mental Health Summit, Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges announced his office is extending the Garden State’s first-in-the-nation partnership with mental health and wellness platform Uwill.

The Jan. 10 event at Seton Hall University brought together more than 500 participants, including frontline campus practitioners, mental health experts and other stakeholders, for a day of discussion, learning and collaboration around the critical issue.

Launched in May 2023, the partnership with Uwill offers students at 44 participating New Jersey colleges and universities access to free, 24/7/365 teletherapy, crisis connection and wellness programming.

To date, officials say more than 7,600 students are registered on the platform with more than 20,000 total sessions scheduled.

According to Bridges, the extension demonstrates a continued commitment to providing life-line mental health supports to thousands of Jersey college students that complement counseling and wellness services institutions already offer.

“Less than a year into this partnership, data-driven insights and testimonials show a meaningful impact,” said Bridges. “Students are finding virtual sessions with licensed practitioners to be very beneficial, with many seeking help for the very first time, and frontline campus counselors tell us these virtual services are helping them reach more students. We hope students continue to feel encouraged and motivated to seek the support they need for success.”

The partnership builds on recent efforts to address student mental health. Over the summer, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education awarded $16 million in grants aimed at increasing the capacity of institution-based services by supporting the creation of community provider partnerships as well as professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.

Officials note that this extended partnership continues to be supported by the $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds allocated to OSHE in the state’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. As a result, students will be able to access services and programming from Uwill – at no cost – through at least the spring of 2025.

“Uwill equalizes access to mental health services by empowering students to get help tailored to their needs and preferences from the comfort of their dorm or home,” said Michael London, Uwill founder and CEO. “We are grateful to continue this statewide partnership in New Jersey to help institutions maximize the reach of impact of mental health support for students at all stages along their wellbeing journey. Even right now, during winter break, when students are particularly vulnerable to stressors, they can rely on Uwill support.”

Anthony Iacono, chair of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council and president of County College of Morris, said the Mental Health Summit emphasizes how seriously the issue is being taken when it comes to students — and how state higher ed institutions are working collaboratively toward solutions.

“The availability of evidence-based services, as well as preventative programs, strengthens our campus cultures and ensures students have the necessary tools to stay on track toward their degree,” said Iacono. “To that end, we are encouraged that the state’s partnership with Uwill will continue because it’s creating room for long sought extensions and innovations to our campus-based offerings.”

Beyond college

As workplaces continue to navigate culture changes exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more employers must consider how they can implement policies and programs that best support mental health. Click here to see what this expert panel had to say about improving employees’ mental health.