How technology can support student mental health

Mental health has become one of the top issues on college campuses across the country, with students facing challenges ranging from academic pressure to career insecurity to social and financial stressors. All these problems have been exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID-19. According to the Research into healthy minds (2023), nearly 40% of students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety, and 44% experienced depression. And what is of great concern is that 15% of students reported that they had seriously considered suicide in the past year.

This mental health crisis is not limited to individual students, but impacts the academic environment as a whole ripple effect of social withdrawal, reduced performance and higher dropout rates. Despite growing resources, students still do not have access to adequate mental health care on campus. Many colleges and universities have limited counseling staffs, and there is still a stigma surrounding mental health issues on college campuses and in society at large.

In response to these gaps Dante Wade, Aaron WarrickAnd Gregory Wilson – created Rejua platform for mental health care. Graduates from Lincoln University in Pennsylvaniaa historically black university, they founded Reju based on both personal experience and a collective mission to provide students with the mental health care they need. Reflecting on their experiences with mental health issues and supporting family members through challenges, the founders sought to create an inclusive platform that promotes “mental, physical and emotional success.”

As Wade shared, “Each of us has been through our own personal journey with anxiety and depression, as well as individuals with diagnosed mental health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder and other chronic disorders.” The founders designed Reju to address the complexities of mental health care, making it accessible, affordable and approachable for young people in student life.

According to the founders, Reju’s commitment to mental health is rooted in a holistic approach that focuses on multiple dimensions of wellness, from psychological and physical to emotional health. The platform’s design encourages users to connect with others through peer-to-peer interaction and wellness coaching. Describing this approach, Wade notes that the app “ensures a holistic approach to mental health through features that are intentionally deployed for ease of use and a low barrier to entry to wellness solutions.” Reju differentiates itself by offering conventional mental health resources, personalized support sessions and wellness content that goes beyond traditional clinical mental health topics.

Faced with the challenges of scaling Reju in the competitive landscape of higher education, the founders have developed innovative outreach strategies to scale their impact. Limited by funding compared to larger competitors, they have relied on direct reach and partnerships to spread the word. For example, at a student panel event at the historically Black Howard University, Reju brought students together to share personal stories of resilience. The event also featured mental health therapists and a yoga instructor, demonstrating the multitude of ways students can approach mental health.

Reju’s founders believe that supporting young people’s mental health is not just a personal endeavor, but also a social enterprise. “There is a national conversation about strengthening mental health in society, especially when we think about our youth,” Wade noted. Reju’s mission is to equip students with the tools they need to build a solid mental foundation for life beyond college, and prepare them to become healthier and more resilient members of society.

As we navigate the ongoing mental health crisis, one question is critical: How do we, as individuals and as a community, actively ensure that students receive the comprehensive mental health resources they need to thrive? Reju offers a promising model, but it is critical that each of us work to remove the barriers and stigmas surrounding mental health care.

As Karen Gross, co-author of Restorative education: Finding hope, creativity, and mental well-being in times of traumastates: “The data shows that student mental well-being continues to decline; we also know that learning is seriously hampered when students are not thriving psychosocially. It behooves all of us as educators to help students become their best selves academically, psychologically, and socially. Mental health is not a luxury; it is a necessity.”