Keiser University, a private non-profit university based in Florida, has announced its partnership with META, a teletherapy tech company powering a mobile application designed to help college students connect easily to mental wellness providers, the company said.
The META app includes a network of licensed mental health professionals such as counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Students download the app, choose a provider, and receive counseling with complete privacy and the convenience of their smart phones via chat, video or voice calls.
Mental health issues are a growing concern among adolescent and college-aged populations. According to a 2018 report from the American College Health Association, college students are struggling more with stress, anxiety, and depression than they ever have before; 60% have experienced “overwhelming anxiety” in the past 12 months. Suicide is now the 2nd cause of death among people aged 10–34, and the number of suicide attempts in that same age group have doubled over the last 10 years, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The majority of people in this age group avoid seeking services due to privacy concerns and the stigma surrounding mental illness. College students who do seek out services are either placed on a waiting list or referred to someone off-campus. In either case, the student doesn´t have many options in choosing a therapist and counseling times are usually inconvenient.
META was developed to give those students real-time access to therapists with the ability to receive counseling from anywhere they feel comfortable. Students can filter therapists by specialty, view provider bio videos, and send chat messages before receiving counseling over the phone through video or voice calling. Payments for sessions are made directly to the provider by insurance or out-of-pocket. Providers are also available during nights and weekends to better fit the student´s schedule.
Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. Keiser University has campuses throughout the state and online.
META is the nation´s first teletherapy app built specifically for college students. META offers real-time, video counseling with licensed mental health professionals from the privacy of an Android or Apple smartphone.
