Articles and research from our team on the future of mental healthcare for young adults.

Gemma Skuraton, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CDE, CDP, LAT, ATC, USAW, CPT, FMS, RYT-200, is a driving force. Throughout her career and in her current position as the Director of Student Wellness and Health Promotion at Georgia Southern University, Dr. Skuraton has worked to remove barriers to care and create a more equitable and inclusive environment for people in her community. 

She has led countless initiatives, including advocating for a bill in Georgia stating that reproductive health in K-12 schools needs to be medically accurate. Dr. Skuraton and her team at Georgia Southern, also worked to design an eight-hour and four-hour peer-to-peer course in collaboration with the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential (GCAPP), which is appropriate for college-level educators and helps de-stigmatize sexual and reproductive issues.

Another major program that Dr. Skuraton helped launch (and now oversees) is the Period Equity Movement (PEM), a multi-campus initiative designed to promote period equity and reduce learning loss from menstrual product insecurity. This program recently won the 2022-23 NASPA Excellence Awards Gold Award in the Athletics, Recreation, Counseling, Health, Wellness and related category – and has been a driving force in combating period poverty in Statesboro, Georgia.

The Rising Need for the Period Poverty Movement 

Studies have found that one in ten college students experience poverty, and 84% of students who menstruate in the U.S. have missed class time or know someone who has missed class time because they did not have access to period products. 

There’s a misconception that students are staying in their dorms and bleeding into a towel every month, Dr. Skuraton explains, but in many cases, students “can’t afford menstrual products,” and end up extending products for longer than medically indicated which can lead to public health concerns like toxic shock syndrome.

“Students shouldn’t have to choose between buying food or menstrual products, and they shouldn’t have to buy or use menstrual products that are uncomfortable, unsafe, or inappropriate for their anatomy,” says Dr. Skuraton. 

The Period Poverty Movement, which started at Georgia Southern but has since spread to other campuses, aims to support menstruating students by tackling the misperceptions around period health and improving access to menstruation products and reproductive health literacy. The program is largely focused on awareness, education, and supply distribution. 

Through numerous grants and investments, including the Pad Project Grant, the program at Georgia Southern has grown to include over 60 different pantry sites, which are broken down into three different types:

The Disposable Period Pantry, in which students receive up to a month’s supply of disposable products at a time.

The Green Period Pantry, which allows students to choose from reusable and sustainable products like cups, reusable menstrual pads, or period underwear. 

Period Products On The Go, which gives students access to “as needed” pantries stocked with disposable products in each of the GS campuses.   

Simply offering products isn’t the only solution to this problem, Dr. Skuraton says. “Providing supplies was always a part of the plan,” but “a lot of the time, we need to give students more tangible support to really address the issue.”

In addition to setting up and running the pantries, the program also works with peer educators to raise awareness for sexual and reproductive health, provide educational information around menstruation, and encourage fellow students to utilize the pantries. Right now, the campus has 21 peer educators, all of whom receive comprehensive, medically accurate, and culturally relevant reproductive health peer education certificates.

The program is promoted on campus through traditional marketing efforts, as well as during on-campus events. Period Pride Picnics, geared toward people of all genders and identities, are among the most popular events on campus and are considered a “highlight of the year” for many staff members. At these picnics, students of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to participate. 

Creating a Safe, Trusting Environment for All People Who Menstruate

To combat period poverty, institutions need to address the stigma surrounding menstruation and understand that the topic can be sensitive or triggering for many individuals, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+. 

When it comes to reproductive health, Dr. Skuraton wants people to remember that “not all people who menstruate identify as women and not all people who identify as a woman menstruate.” Changing the language to “people who menstruate” is one of the first steps that can be taken to build a more inclusive movement, Dr. Skuraton explains. 

Paying attention to what supplies are available and how they’re accessed is another factor that needs to be considered. For some transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, wearing (and changing) menstrual products can be a safety concern. It can also trigger feelings of gender dysphoria for some students, which is why the university offers menstrual underwear. 

When Dr. Skuraton first arrived on the Georgia Southern campus, the campus didn’t offer free menstrual products or contraception beyond condoms. At the time, students were even required to take their school ID to the health center to get access to condoms – and they were only allowed to take ten per month. Dr. Skuraton found this practice to be stigmatizing and concerning, so she convinced the institution to give out condoms more freely. Instead of forcing students to show ID, they gave out ten per bag, and included a consent message and instructions on how to use them.

Policing the distribution is often a barrier to access, which is why the Period Poverty Movement doesn’t track which students take which products – and allows any person on campus to access the pantries. One of the big initiatives of the Period Poverty Movement is to create safe spaces for students to access information and get supplies they need. By eliminating the fear of discrimination and de-stigmatizing the process of accessing, students are encouraged to really take advantage of the program.

As of March 2023, the program has distributed over 45,000 menstrual products, 2,500 of which were sustainable. From both the students’ and staff’s perspectives, the Period Poverty Movement has been tremendously successful. After being surveyed, 99% of students reported that having access to free products has improved their quality of life and most believe the program should continue in a similar capacity, if not expand. 

What’s Next for the Period Poverty Movement – and How to Build Your Own Program

Dr. Skuraton looks forward to expanding the program’s marketing efforts and adding new branding to the project. She also plans to bring the program to other campuses in Georgia and around the country. 

With some states now requiring institutions to provide free menstrual products to students, there’s a new incentive for some campuses to adopt this program. The challenge, of course, is finding the funding and the support to make it successful. Not every institution will have the same level of support that Dr. Skuraton and her team have received and this can make it hard to build pantries and supply the right products. 

“You have to work with the people who are willing to work with you,” she says, especially in areas of the country where there’s a significant lack of diversity or representation. 

In addition to working with custodial staff and other key members of campus, Dr. Skuraton recommends connecting with your institution’s LGBTQIA+ center, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department, and/or Office of Inclusive Excellence, as well as other departments like the counseling center, the ROTC program, the athletics program, even housing and dining. Partnering with the right people will help make the program more successful and sustainable.

Ultimately, you need to be realistic about what you can do, Dr. Skuraton explains. Some institutions have the funding to put menstrual products in every bathroom on campus, others may decide to only put them in the first floor bathrooms. If you can’t do that, you can put up signs around campus that direct students to pantries where they can access the products, or you can work with peer educators to refill supplies on a regular basis.

Another key aspect to consider is which supplies to invest in. Disposable products are often cheaper, but sustainable products are longer lasting, Dr. Skuraton explains. They are also preferred by certain student populations, making them more cost-effective in the long run. 

While there are different factors to consider, Dr. Skuraton is hopeful that more and more institutions will take the initiative to address period poverty and start building programs that are just as inclusive and sustainable as the Period Poverty Movement. 

If you know someone who should be featured in our spotlight series on higher education leaders, email us at outreach@mantrahealth.com. 

Director of Student Wellness & Health Promotion Takes On Period Poverty

In preparation for the launch of Whole Campus Care, a mental health and wellness solution for higher education institutions, and in response to the company’s recent growth, Mantra Health co-founders Matt Kennedy and Ed Gaussen made the proactive decision to restructure their respective roles and responsibilities, with Matt moving from COO to CEO, and Ed moving from CEO to the newly-created role of President.

This change has been months in the making. Since raising a $22 million Series A in January 2022, Mantra has grown to over 65 full-time employees and more than 100 in-house clinical providers, and has added innovative products to its suite of campus solutions. The evolution of the company prompted a much-needed conversation, in which Matt and Ed assessed the best way to manage the company and streamline decision-making for the next stages of growth.

Both agreed that the long-term goals and changing needs of the company would best be served if they applied their leadership strengths in different ways, with Matt focusing on building an exceptional, high-performing team and rallying everyone around Mantra’s strategy, and Ed doubling down on high-leverage activities that will accelerate Mantra’s ability to achieve its mission. Both firmly believe this new combination will allow them to build a generational company.

“Since the beginning, Ed and I have worked in separate, but equally important roles, as we’ve built toward achieving our shared vision,” says Matt. “As we reach a turning point in the company’s history, we feel this change is necessary to accomplish our long-term goals for ourselves and the company. I know Ed is going to thrive in his President role – and bring much-needed attention to the campus mental health crisis across the country and at the highest levels of higher education.”

Before implementing this change, Matt and Ed worked extensively with an executive coach to better understand themselves and their capabilities. Both completed comprehensive 360 reviews, which included interviews, surveys of team members, and various screenings to uncover strengths and weaknesses, zones of genius, and areas of potential growth. 

Having worked with early stage tech companies prior to founding Mantra, Matt and Ed have a shared understanding of the ways in which technology and creative entrepreneurship can transform lives. Both recognized the vital importance of young adult mental health and the ever-evolving need for more accessible and higher quality care on campuses. In the years since the company’s founding, Matt and Ed have built a strong friendship and mutually-respectful partnership, which in turn, established a solid foundation for the company. 

Their executive coach Matt Hunter, who has worked with dozens of founders, admitted that “the two of them together, doing what they do best, is the special sauce.” He sees Matt as a tried-and-true operator and Ed as a passionate advocate and attentive listener. He believes this decision, which they made on their own volition, puts them both in the best position to lead Mantra through these next few critical years. 

The field of campus mental health is quickly evolving, with many institutions turning to external mental health partners for supplemental support, and Mantra will continue building the highest quality mental health and wellness solutions to serve students across every stage of the mental health journey. To facilitate this vision, Matt and Ed will continue to act on the company value of “listening to patients, partners, and providers” and building the necessary solutions to support students across every stage of the mental health journey, from the day they walk on campus to the day they graduate and beyond. 

"One thing I respect immensely about Matt and Ed is their lack of fear when reflecting on what's working and what's best for the company,” said Allie Schwartz, VP of People at Mantra Health. “They always come to the table with openness and make space for reflection and growth; it's something baked into Mantra's culture and it stems from their leadership. It sets them apart as leaders and first-time founders."

Matt will now be responsible for setting the strategy and vision for Mantra, and will oversee all go-to-market, product, and engineering, and central business functions, while Ed will take on an external-facing role and focus on executive relationship building with Mantra’s prospective and current customers, as well as product partners, industry leaders, and new capital partners – all who play a critical role in helping the company achieve its goals. He’s already logged serious airline miles and is looking forward to continuing his travels in support of the company’s mission.

“I’m excited to transition into this role. We have gotten this far thanks to our relentless focus on quality and listening to our partners' needs, and this evolution will further enable us to do that. I’m looking forward to spending more time connecting with executive leaders on campuses and understanding how best to integrate our new solutions to solve the youth mental health crisis,” says Ed. “And I believe Matt is well positioned to lead Mantra through this pivotal point in the company’s history and really propel us forward in his new role of CEO.” 

“We will continue to lead the team as we always have – with mutual respect, aligned on critical decisions, and with the best intentions for our customers, and all of the students who benefit from Mantra’s services,” say Ed and Matt. 

Mantra Health Co-Founders Take on New Leadership Roles – and Look To a Promising Future for Campus Mental Health

New CEO, President, VP of Clinical Programs, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and VP of Care Operations

NEW YORK, May 23, 2023 – Mantra Health, the preeminent digital mental health provider for higher education, announced today significant changes to its leadership structure, which closely aligns with the company’s long-term vision to bring accessible, high-quality mental health solutions to millions of young adults around the country.

As part of the leadership reorganization, Co-Founder Ed Gaussen will transition from CEO to the newly created role of President, and Co-Founder and current COO Matt Kennedy will take on the role of CEO. As President, Gaussen will serve as a champion and ambassador for Mantra Health, with a focus on building industry relationships and collaborating with partners, investors, and other experts in the field. As CEO, Kennedy will direct Mantra Health's long-term strategy and vision, and will lead all functions, including go-to-market, product, and engineering.

“Our evolved roles and responsibilities furthers our shared goal of building Mantra Health into a generational company in service of helping young adults across the country flourish,” Kennedy and Gaussen said in a joint statement. “Since founding Mantra Health, we have both been equally committed to advancing Mantra Health’s mission and impact on the mental health field. We’re at a turning point in the company’s history, and we made this change proactively to further accelerate Mantra Health on its journey to achieving its goals.”

Mantra Health also announced changes to its clinical leadership. Carla Chugani, PhD, LPC, the current VP of Clinical Content and Affairs, will now serve as the VP of Clinical Programs. Dr. Chugani, who designed Mantra Health’s self-guided DBT skills and coaching programs, will lead the company’s clinical strategy and oversee clinical research and development for all Mantra products and services. 

Nathaan Demers, PsyD, also joined the company as its new Director of Strategic Partnerships. Demers previously served as VP of Clinical Programs and Strategic Partnerships at Grit Digital Health. At Mantra Health, he will leverage his deep knowledge of mental wellness and network at the intersection of higher education and behavioral healthcare to further Mantra Health's goal of building integrated ecosystem partnerships with complementary solutions for campuses nationwide.

In addition, Alicia Eggen, LMFT, recently joined Mantra Health as VP of Care Operations. In her role, Eggen will lead provider and network operations as well as Mantra Health’s care navigation and coaching service lines. Eggen previously served as the Head of Clinical Projects and Implementation at Two Chairs, as well as the Regional Director of the company’s therapy practices. Before becoming a licensed therapist, she was a coach, as well as a coach supervisor at digital mental health pioneer Lantern. 

“At Mantra Health, we’ll continue investing in building the strongest possible team to help solve the youth mental health crisis,” Kennedy said. “Superior talent further improves our position today and for the years to come. I’m excited to see the benefits of our expanded clinical expertise for our population as well as campus partners.”

This news comes on the heels of the company’s recent announcement of a Series A extension funding, a new solution called Whole Campus Care, and an innovative partnership with Togetherall, the leading clinically-moderate, peer-to-peer community provider. Mantra Health was also recently named to the New York Digital Health 100, and recognized by Juniper Research with the Future Digital Awards' Gold Award for Best Digital Therapeutic Solution, and by the 2023 MedTech Breakthrough Awards with the Mental Health Innovation Award. 

Mantra Health is an award-winning digital mental health provider for colleges and universities on a mission to improve access to evidence-based mental healthcare for young adults. Through augmenting high-quality clinical services with software and design, we aim to improve the mental health of over 40 million young adults through partnerships with higher education institutions and health insurance plans. Mantra Health was named a Mental & Behavioral Health Rising Star at the 2022 UCSF Health Hub Digital Health Awards. The Mantra program has been deployed across 110 campuses with over 800,000 students, including Penn State, MIT, Cornell, and Miami Dade College. Learn more about Mantra Health's comprehensive clinical approach to digital mental health care here. 

Mantra Health Announces Strategic Realignment of Key Leadership Roles

NEW YORK, May 3, 2023 – Mantra Health, the preeminent digital mental health provider of mental health and wellness solutions for higher education, announced today it has received the "Mental Health Innovation Award" by the 2023 MedTech Breakthrough Awards.

The prestigious MedTech Breakthrough Awards garnered over 4,000 nominations this year, making it one of the most comprehensive and competitive evaluations in the industry. This is the seventh consecutive year that MedTech Breakthrough has conducted the review, scoring, and analysis.

"We are honored to accept this distinguished award acknowledging the innovative efforts taken by the entire team at Mantra Health," said Matt Kennedy, Co-Founder of Mantra Health. "Our unique approach to providing quality mental health solutions for young adults further sets our solution apart and advances our mission of increasing access to quality, diverse mental health and wellness solutions. These awards reaffirm the effectiveness of our strategy."

Winners this year include brands like athenahealth, Cerebral, Bright.md and many others that contribute to “an impressive list of top companies and startups in the larger digital health industry,” according to MedTech Breakthrough. Past winners include other noteworthy names in the digital mental healthcare industry like Talkspace and NeuroFlow.

This is the fourth industry recognition Mantra Health has received in recent months. Mantra Health won a 2022 UCSF Health Hub Digital Health 'Rising Star' Award in the category of Mental & Behavioral Health in November; was named to the New York Digital Health 100 in February; and was recognized by Juniper Research with the Gold Award for Best Digital Therapeutic Solution as a part of their Future Digital Awards in April.

In March, Mantra Health also announced additional Series A extension funding, a new Whole Campus Care solution, and an innovative partnership with leading peer-to-peer community support provider Togetherall. Mantra Health continues to broaden its reach in the mental health and wellness space.

Mantra Health is an award-winning digital mental health clinic on a mission to improve access to evidence-based mental healthcare for young adults. Through augmenting high-quality clinical services with software and design, we aim to improve the mental health of over 40 million young adults through partnerships with higher education institutions and health insurance plans. Mantra Health was named a Mental & Behavioral Health Rising Star at the 2022 UCSF Health Hub Digital Health Awards. The Mantra program has been deployed across 105 campuses with over 800,000 students, including Penn State, MIT, Cornell, and Miami Dade College.

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the MedTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence and innovation in medical & health technology companies, products, services and people. The MedTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough healthcare and medical companies and products in categories that include Patient Experience & Engagement, Health & Fitness, Medical Devices, Clinical Administration, Connected Healthcare, Medical Data, Healthcare Cybersecurity and more. For more information visit MedTechBreakthrough.com.

Mantra Health Secures 2023 MedTech Breakthrough Award for Mental Health Innovation

The awards recognize companies that are “at the forefront of their respective fields.”

NEW YORK, April 26, 2023 – Mantra Health, the preeminent digital mental health provider for higher education, announced today that it has received the gold award for Best Digital Therapeutic Solution from Juniper Research. Presented as part of the Future Digital Awards for Digital Health Innovation, this award recognizes Mantra Health's innovative and groundbreaking approach to health and wellness as a digital therapeutic solution for young adults. 

Since 2008, the Future Digital Awards have celebrated tech companies with outstanding contributions to their industry that are expected to continue to have a significant impact in the future. Awards are given to organizations that deliver imaginative, innovative products or services that have the potential to disrupt their ecosystems and provide substantial benefits to the market.

The Future Digital Awards for Digital Health Innovation are determined by evaluating the next big digital healthcare products in the fields of digital therapeutics, telemedicine, and remote health. In honoring Mantra Health with the gold award for Best Digital Therapeutic Solution, Juniper Research has acknowledged Mantra Health’s commitment to providing accessible, quality solutions for young adult mental health and wellness. 

“Mantra Health is proud to be recognized by Juniper Research as a leader in digital mental health,” said Ed Gaussen, Co-founder of Mantra Health. “The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at Mantra Health and our rigorous approach to delivering high-quality service grounded in evidence-based practices to the students we serve.”

“The youth mental health crisis faced by our higher education partners requires novel solutions to meet the moment and bring us through to the other side. Our DBT content program is one of a kind, purpose-built for the diverse and specialized needs of the student population,” said Co-founder Matt Kennedy. 

Carla Chugani, PhD, LPC, VP of Clinical Content & Affairs said, “This is deeply meaningful to me. This is recognition of our strong commitment to innovative clinical strategy that meets the needs of a unique and evolving generation. I'm proud to be a part of the Mantra Health team and will continue to push to keep us at the forefront of best-in-class mental health care and solutions for college students."

This is the second industry award that Mantra Health has received in 2023. In February, the company was named to the New York Digital Health 100, which recognizes the most exciting and innovative startups in the New York region. 

Mantra Health is the preeminent digital mental health provider for higher education, on a mission to improve access to evidence-based mental healthcare for young adults. Through augmenting high-quality clinical services with software and design, we aim to improve the mental health of over 40 million young adults through partnerships with higher education institutions and health insurance plans. Mantra Health was named a Mental & Behavioral Health Rising Star at the 2022 UCSF Health Hub Digital Health Awards. The Mantra program has been deployed across 105 campuses with over 800,000 students, including Penn State, MIT, Cornell, and Miami Dade College.

Press Contact: Alexis Reder at alexis@thebelfortgroup.com  

Mantra Health Wins Juniper Research’s Gold Award for Best Digital Therapeutic Solution

Twin Sisters and AVPs of Health and Wellness Take on Health Equity in Higher Education

Shawnté Elbert, EdD, CWHC, MCHES, and Sherrá Watkins, PhD, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC, CCS, twin sisters, are making waves in the college health and wellness space. Both work in similar roles at different campuses: Dr. Elbert is the Associate Vice President of Health and Well-being at the Ohio State University and Dr. Watkins is the Associate Vice President for Health and Wellness at the University of Utah. 

At the heart of their work is a deep and abiding commitment to help serve students in their communities and build a better campus system that actually supports health equity initiatives. This duo, full of passion and determination, is poised to make a long-lasting impact in the world of higher education. 

Two Different Paths, but the Same Shared Vision

Born and raised in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Dr. Elbert and Dr. Watkins saw firsthand the need for health and mental health support. Their father, who received a full scholarship to Wake Forest University, succumbed to drug addiction at a time when the ‘The War on Drugs’ wasn’t treated with critical attention or care, preventing him from graduating. Their mother, just eighteen when they were born, became a nurse and worked in the hospital, then in a doctor’s office, where Dr. Elbert and Dr. Watkins spent many after-school days. 

Throughout their childhood, they witnessed the generosity and camaraderie of the healthcare workers, in addition to the kindness of their grandmother who was a hospital nurse and later, a home health nurse, as well as the glue bringing family and community members together. They both decided, early on, they would become lifelong helpers. 

After working as peer health educators and graduating as first-generation college students from East Carolina University, they extended their academic careers and went on to acquire five postgraduate degrees between them. Dr. Elbert jump-started her career in higher education right away, and has now spent 17 years experience across health education, wellness, and student affairs. Dr. Watkins, in contrast, spent many years working in public health and ambulatory care, focusing on mental health, substance use, rehabilitation counseling, and chronic diseases, before turning back to higher education. To this day, she still maintains a private practice. 

“The majority of my sister’s clients outside of campus are people of color and those in the LGBTQ+ community. Being able to pick her brain on how she’s working with these clients and bring that insight to campus has been pivotal, says Dr. Elbert. At the same time, Dr. Watkins will turn to her sister for mentorship and guidance around higher education, as Dr. Elbert has spent many years working as a leader in this space. 

With two different perspectives, but the same shared mission, the sisters maintain an ongoing discussion around college mental health. Dr. Elbert and Dr. Watkins have created a shared space, where they can “cry and debrief” and offer support to one another during challenging times. They often share what has worked in the community, what has or hasn’t worked in higher education, and how they can better support students and their staff on campus today. 

One of their long-term visions is to reimagine and restructure the higher education systems of care and take a much larger, preventive approach to health and wellness, which will help reach diverse, underserved students who may not feel comfortable help-seeking or utilizing clinical services. 

Building Programs for More Preventative, Holistic Care

A lot of institutions tie student success to student retention, but don’t always consider the full scope of why students are stopping out or leaving, Dr. Elbert explains. “How do we go upstream and find out what’s actually impacting our students prior to coming to campus so we can build a model to assist and support them holistically when they get here?” 

Starting with basic needs and the dimensions of wellness, Dr. Elbert and Dr. Watkins aim to equip students with the skills and tools they need to advocate and care for themselves and feel empowered once they graduate. Part of that solution would include peer-to-peer support, wellness coaching, more campus resources, and opportunities for social engagement. 

Ultimately, they believe the opportunity and responsibility to create a better culture of care for students, is on the institution itself – and the campus stakeholders. 

This is why Dr. Elbert and her colleagues at Ohio State University are working to launch, in phases, the Buckeyes T.H.R.I.V.E. program, which takes a preventative approach to student health and well-being, in partnership with Dr. Kia McKinnie and the First Year Experience team and other campus partners. Part of the program will include a Wellness Passport, which encourages students to engage in campus activities and resources, and will focus on various elements of health and wellness, including sleep, finances, stress, and nutrition. Dr. Elbert hopes to embed the program into existing first-year courses so students really take advantage of it. 

Dr. Watkins loved the idea so much, she took it straight to her team at the University of Utah and they are now using the major concepts of the framework to build out their own program. In addition to establishing a preventative approach to student health and wellbeing, which they plan to make some components digital, Dr. Watkins and the University of Utah staff want to really highlight the importance of understanding who incoming and current students are in order to help them access and navigate campus programs and services, and critical health literacy topics like health insurance and deductibles, as students use their current insurance and will have to navigate the U.S. healthcare system upon graduation. 

While the programs will vary to account for institutional differences, the ultimate goal for both sisters is to achieve health equity for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status. 

“Building a connection within the first couple of weeks for a student is very, very crucial when it comes to academic success and mental health wellness,” says Dr. Watkins, which is why both sisters are considering the best ways to assess and screen students in a safe, secure way, and build in more interaction so they can determine the existing state of student mental health on campus. They’re even considering co-creating a healthy equity assessment, which doesn’t currently exist. 

Overcoming Limitations and Building Wraparound Services

“We have to stop being a crisis-focused center,” Dr. Elbert says. “If we continue to work this way, we’ll neglect to serve the students who don’t look like they’re in crisis.” 

While many institutions are faced with staffing shortages, being under resourced, and budgeting limitations, offering more preventative services can not only improve the student experience and assist with student persistence, but it can actually prevent students from reaching a state of crisis. A good first step to building a preventative model? Using a root cause analysis, Dr. Elbert suggests, and figuring out which systems need to change. 

Dr. Watkins also wants to merge the siloed departments that currently exist on campus to build wraparound services for students. One of her big initiatives is creating a referral pathway across the campus that’s open, transparent, and consistent. Bringing together different stakeholders from the counseling, wellness, recreation, student health, and disability departments, she let them all know that at some point they would need to start sharing critical information. 

Dr. Elbert is planning to do the same and will bring in other key departments like academic affairs. The challenge, however, is finding the technology to bring all of these people into one central system where there’s just one profile for the student. While student confidentiality and privacy would be incorporated, ensuring that only relevant stakeholders would be able to view certain information, it would eliminate the disparate systems that currently exist in higher education. 

“Not every student needs counseling,” Dr. Elbert explains. While some students are in crisis and do need clinical intervention, many just need support. They may be experiencing financial issues or a recent breakup which is preventing them from focusing on their academics. The goal, she says, is to not only help the student, but decrease the amount of time it takes to help the student, and decrease the amount of times that student has to repeat their story. 

The sisters want to change the way higher education works – and they both feel as though we’re in a pivotal moment. With more and more people acknowledging health promotion and the need for health equity, they feel hopeful that higher education will change for the better and students will, someday, receive the support they really need to thrive.

“Working on a campus is a privilege and an honor,” says Dr. Elbert. “It’s also personal for us.” 

Dr. Watkins and Dr. Elbert were featured as part of our Spotlight series on prominent leaders in higher education. If you know someone who you would like to be featured, please email us at outreach@mantrahealth.com.