The Ohio State University will offer teletherapy to over 65,000 students on all five of its campuses.
The expansion of Ohio State's therapy offerings is part of a nearly $2.5 million grant from the state of Ohio and comes as mental health challenges rise among college students across the U.S.
Students will be able to virtually see licensed therapists for free through a partnership with Uwill. The virtual counseling service works with hundreds of colleges, including the University of Michigan and Columbus State.
“Our goal is to build upon a student experience that is not only free of stigma around mental health, but where students feel supported and encouraged to seek help if they are experiencing mental health challenges,” said Ryan Lovell, The Ohio State University’s Associate Vice President for Student Health and Well-being.
Research shows about half of students with mental health conditions never access care, and about a third don't know where to go during a mental health crisis, according to a release from Ohio State.
Ohio State already offers a range of on-campus counseling services, emergency support and a suicide prevention program.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the national suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
