“What I can say overall is that students really benefit from having another person to talk to,” said Dr. Sanjay Nath, a professor of clinical psychology at Widener University. “A lot of studies show that apps like mood trackers or modules on cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective. But a lot of work shows that when a mental health professional is involved, it’s better. To me, as a psychologist, the relationship is key.”
The mental health technology industry overall is seeing massive growth. In 2021, funding in the mental health tech sector globally surged 139% to reach a record $5.5 billion, according to a February 2022 report from CB Insights, a company that analyzes data on venture capital and tech startups. This sector includes a range of products, from mindfulness apps to telehealth platforms.
Dr. Ben Locke is the chief clinical officer at Togetherall, a clinically managed, online community where students can connect with each other anonymously for peer support. Previously, he co-founded the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, a research network of nearly 700 college and university counseling centers that is housed at Penn State University.
“It’s important to take a step back and think, what percentage of the population would not benefit from mental health support? When you ask the question that way, you’d probably say 0,” said Locke. “Lots of college student mental health surveys say 40-50% of students screen positive for mental health symptoms. We know that the national average of college student populations who get mental health care is about 13-14%. That’s a very big gap.”
At Togetherall, licensed clinicians moderate content to escalate care when needed if someone, for instance, appears suicidal. The content moderators also watch for misinformation and bullying, which often go unchecked on social media platforms. That clinical oversight, Locke stressed, is critical.
“The crisis is more a crisis of capacity than the sudden, random appearance of mental health problems,” explained Locke. "I view mental health as a both/and not an either/or. We are 100% committed to continuing to grow local treatment capacity as needed. Peer support does not entirely replace the need for treatment. That is important to acknowledge.”
