Oakland University (OU) has teamed up with Uwill, a mental health support network, to enhance its resources for students dealing with mental health issues. This partnership aims to provide students with innovative virtual features that promote awareness and facilitate mental health support on campus.
24/7 Crisis Support and New Programs
Since the introduction of Uwill’s UHelp service in Winter 2023, students have been able to access a 24-hour crisis response line. According to Michael Wadsworth, assistant vice president of Student Affairs and Diversity and Dean of Students, this line is a vital resource for students experiencing mental health crises, allowing them to call any time for immediate support.
Building on the success of UHelp, OU has launched a new program called UMatch, which connects students with licensed therapists for one-on-one sessions. This service offers students the ability to select their therapist based on preferences such as ethnicity, gender, and language, promoting comfort and relatability in the therapeutic relationship. Wadsworth emphasized the significance of this personalized approach, noting, “With Uwill, all of their personnel are fully licensed, and that option of the languages … made them win out over others.”
Telehealth Appointments
The telehealth appointments provided by Uwill are designed to be comparable to in-person sessions. During the initial meeting, therapists and students will engage in a rapport-building process to set expectations and establish ground rules for their interactions. Wadsworth noted that the UMatch feature has already seen usage within its first week, indicating a positive response from the student body.
Financial Support for Mental Health Initiatives
To fund this partnership, OU applied for and received a $300,000 grant through the 60 by 30 initiative. The funding is distributed among various departments, including the Food Pantry, Student Emergency Relief Fund, Graham Health Center, and the OU Counseling Center. This grant not only facilitates the implementation of Uwill but also enhances the emergency fund available to the counseling office, enabling it to better support students in need of mental health services.
Wadsworth highlighted the importance of this funding, stating, “Now there’s more funding in the counseling office’s emergency fund to help students who need that more but don’t have the money to pay for it.” The Uwill app also includes wellness features such as meditation and mindfulness tools, providing students with additional resources for managing their mental health.
Empowering Students and Faculty
The Uwill platform equips students with various resources to explore healthier coping mechanisms and develop self-awareness regarding their mental health. Moreover, faculty and staff at OU have been trained to understand and promote the Uwill services, creating a supportive environment where students can easily access help.
Wadsworth concluded with a message of encouragement, saying, “Let us help you deal with these things so that you can focus on school and not have to think about this all the time.” The Uwill website has become a vital resource for students at Oakland University, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to prioritizing mental health and well-being on campus.
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