For University Of Missouri Students Struggling With Mental Health Issues — There’s An App For That
Date Posted: February 25, 2020
Posted In: Discussion, Workforce,
From St. Louis Public Radio: Stress, anxiety and depression can be part of the college experience for many students, so the University of Missouri System is hoping a mobile app can help them cope better and be healthy.
The university purchased the rights for students on the campuses in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City and Rolla to download and use the app called Sanvello. Normally it costs $8.95 a month.
It has functions including self-assessments, guided meditations, breathing exercises and behavioral studies that are designed to help manage mental health issues.
Sanvello uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness principles to help people. The app has generally received positive reviews from mental health professionals. Dr. Marty Nemko wrote in Psychology Today: “Sanvello would seem to have no downsides and lots of upsides. It relies on mainstream respected psychological practices.”
The university intends the technology to be a complement to therapy, counseling and other traditional mental wellness practices.
“It really is much more about what can people do to support and assist themselves with it, said Christopher Sullivan, director of health at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “It can be a very beneficial resource and support, but at the same time it does not take the place of professional assistance and treatment.”
Sullivan said each campus will also get monthly reports on how many people are using the app and in what ways. He also said it is totally private.
“We only see aggregate numbers. It’s impossible for us to know who is using it or how,” Sullivan said.
At Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, the app is one of several new initiatives to meet the increasing demand for mental health services.