Uwill Acquires L.A.-Based Mental Health Startup

MENTAL health and wellness provider UWill today has acquired student telehealth company Virtual Care Group, further expanding its burgeoning student client base of more than 2 million.

UWill is an online mental health service which ‘matches’ university students with a licensed counselor for personalised online care.

It is partnered with more than 300 colleges around the world, but mainly in the US, its clientele includes Babson College, the University of Michigan, and Columbus State Community College.

The company hopes the acquisition of Virtual Care Group will enhance its reach and extend its digital offerings to more institutions.

Michael London, founder and CEO of Uwill, said: “Virtual Care Group has a well-earned reputation as a trusted partner for college leaders and students alike. Together, our reach, popularity, and digital capabilities meet the needs of any college in the world.”

Addressing student mental health

According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), an estimated 77% of college students now struggle with mental health.

However, research suggests that half of students with a mental health condition never access care, and a third of students report that they do not know who, or where to turn while experiencing a mental health crisis.

London said: “College students globally are grappling with a range of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression related to academic pressures, life challenges, and future uncertainty.”

He added: “While the core issues tend to be consistent, the intensity and specific challenges can vary by region and time of the academic year.”

As well as offering a matching service, UWill’s complete solution includes access to crisis and psychiatric support with trained and licensed medical practitioners, and access to wellness resources for yoga and meditation. It also has a data and analytics service where students can access their mental health reports and track their progress.

London said: “Online and digital mental health tools are crucial because they provide accessibility, flexibility, and immediacy, which are often barriers in traditional mental health services. Students can access support from anywhere, at any time, which is particularly important for those with busy schedules or who are studying remotely.”

Danny Zusman, founder and CEO of Virtual Care Group, said: “This acquisition marks a significant achievement for the digital mental health sector within higher education. Through the integration of our extensive nationwide reach with Uwill’s focused technological investments, we aim to enhance the support and resources available to the students, faculty, and staff we are dedicated to serving.”

If you found this article helpful, check out How to safeguard students’ mental health while learning from home. 

Featured image: Valeriy_G, iStock.