College is hard enough, between the academic workload, learning to be away from home if you’re staying on campus and dealing with the social pressure. To help students deal with the stresses of everyday life, Gov. Phil Murphy announced a partnership with Uwill, a mental health and wellness platform that will support students at 44 institutions of higher education throughout New Jersey.
Beginning this month, Uwill will provide access to free virtual mental health services throughout the year for students enrolled in one of the eligible institutions that have opted into the program. Students will be able to talk with someone from a network of licensed and qualified mental health professionals who are also trained in multicultural competency to ensure the needs of underrepresented students will be met. Providers will be available all hours of the day, 365 days a year, at no cost to students or the institution of higher education itself.
Participating colleges include: Atlantic Cape Community College, Bergen County Community College, Bloomfield College, Brookdale Community College, Caldwell University, Camden County College, Centenary University, County College of Morris, Drew University, Essex County College, Farleigh Dickinson University, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Hudson County Community College, Kean University, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex College, Monmouth University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Ocean County College, Passaic County Community College, Princeton University, Ramapo College, Raritan Valley Community College, Rider University, Rowan College at Burlington County, Rowan College of South Jersey, Rowan University, Rutgers University (Camden, Newark, New Brunswick), Saint Elizabeth University, Saint Peter’s University, Salem County Community College, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stockton University, Sussex County Community College, The College of New Jersey, Union College of Union County, New Jersey, Warren County Community College, and William Paterson University of New Jersey.
“With the challenges these past few years have presented, young people around New Jersey and the nation are facing a mental health crisis like never before. It is incumbent upon us to do everything in our power to provide young people with access to the support they need, which is something my administration will continue to prioritize,” Murphy said in his announcement. “Making teletherapy services available to countless college students on campuses throughout our state is a key component of our ongoing efforts to address the mental health needs of our young people and promote safe and inclusive learning environments in New Jersey.”
In a fall 2021 questionnaire conducted by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), more than 70 percent of New Jersey students rated their stress and anxiety levels as higher or much higher than the previous year, with 40 percent of students indicating they were concerned about their mental health in light of the COVID pandemic.
“Our higher education institutions have been doing their very best to assess, prioritize and expand the services necessary to address the mental health and wellness needs of their diverse student populations following the pandemic, but the reality of this mental health crisis leaves current initiatives and on-site services stretched beyond their capacities,” said Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges. “This partnership will provide highly accessible, free, and equitable support to all students, regardless of their circumstances, where they need it most. We appreciate the Governor’s fervent efforts on behalf of young people across New Jersey.”
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