Empowering Student Mental Health: How Technology Initiatives are Transforming Modern Higher Education

In a cozy room filled with comfy chairs and cushions, students can take a seat and unwind. An 86-inch InFocus touchscreen display, along with a wide-angle camera and a ceiling-mounted microphone, are set up for smooth teleconferencing.

“We have a peer support program. Students can use Zoom to talk with someone either at home or at the Blue Bell campus, which is a 50-minute drive away,” Kang explains. This helps remote students connect without needing to travel to Pottstown for in-person sessions.

Kang mentions that students have been impressed with the MCCC Wellness Center. “They are amazed by the space. When they come in, they feel at ease. This semester, it’s been really popular — it’s always busy.”

A Team Effort Creates a Powerful Tech Resource

In January 2021, the University of Alabama at Birmingham launched a unique health and wellness app, thanks to collaboration among students, IT staff, student affairs, and counseling services, says Angela Stowe, the director of counseling services.

“Students asked for an app that provided 24/7 peer support,” Stowe notes. “However, we discovered they wanted a central spot on campus to access various resources.”

DISCOVER: Check out San Diego State University’s esports lab for student mental wellness support.

After discussing their needs in focus groups, the app’s development accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, students can create personalized self-care plans that include nutrition and stress management. They can track their daily accomplishments and record wellness goals in a journal.

The UABwell app gives students access to mental health services and connects them with emergency responders. They can also check out a live calendar for upcoming mental health events and watch UAB’s videos on yoga and mindfulness.

When developing the app, the team focused on data privacy. “We designed it so users don’t have to log in,” Stowe says. “We don’t track who downloads the app. The only data we see is from our videos linked to a YouTube playlist, where we can see view counts.”

A committee meets about three times a year to discuss app updates, often based on student surveys through the school’s learning management system.

“We test beta versions and collect feedback,” Stowe explains. “The IT team fixes any issues, and we release updates a few times a year to keep it fresh.”