Edward Waters College is Offering Online Mental Health Counseling Services to Students through META Teletherapy

BUFFALO GROVE, IL – Edward Waters College (EWC), the first private institution of higher education in Florida as well as the state’s first HBCU, has partnered with META Teletherapy, the leading mental health platform for schools, to bring safe, accessible counseling services to their students.

The partnership with META was made possible through a grant managed by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. While in the META app, EWC students can search META’s nationwide network of licensed and vetted mental health providers, including counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Student can narrow their search by a variety of provider characteristics, such as gender, therapy style, and language, so that students can select a provider they feel comfortable working with.

“We are eager to bring these services to our students,” said Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., president of Edward Waters College. “Our mission is to prepare students holistically to advance in a global society, and taking care of their mental health is a key aspect of that mission. By bringing META to our campus, we are ensuring that a student who seeks counseling can swiftly and safely connect with a counselor of their choice.”

Students download the META app, choose a counselor, and receive chat, video, or voice counseling through the privacy and convenience of their smartphones. The app presents available online counselors for immediate connection, or students can leave a chat or voice message to schedule a future session.

On top of the common stress over earning an advanced degree, mental health issues are on the rise resulting from anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic. A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the number of U.S. adults struggling with mental health issues increased from 32 percent in March to 53 percent in July.

By partnering with META, Edward Waters College receives a robust mental health program, complete with self-service content directed at students and an ongoing awareness campaign encouraging students to take care of their emotional and mental well-being.

About Edward Waters College: Edward Waters College (EWC), accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is a private, historically black, urban college, which offers a liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the Christian principles of high moral and spiritual values. EWC was established in 1866 and is an African Methodist Episcopal Church-related institution of learning. It is the first private institution of higher education in the State of Florida. www.ewc.edu