Preventia, a virtual-care first lifestyle medicine marketplace, announced late March that it is partnering with healthcare software company LifeOmic to design a mental health platform for students at Butler University. The two Indianapolis, companies created a custom solution for Butler to offer its students online therapy and other health support.

As a result of the pandemic, college students report that they experienced worsening of mental health challenges. As a result, colleges and companies are working to address the increased demand for mental health services among this demographic. For example, TimelyMD, College Telehealth, and Mantra Health all specialize in online therapy for college students.

However, executives at Preventia and LifeOmic believe their product as unique, more holistic, since it not only connects students to therapists, but also helps students track areas that relate to their overall health, including sleep, exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness.

Butler plans to make this app free to its students.

“Student well-being is a top priority at Butler University, and we continue to make investments to help our students cope with the stress and pressures that often accompany college life,” said Frank E. Ross III, vice president of student affairs at Butler University, in a news release. “Adding a teletherapy service to the array of on-campus counseling services and other resources already available to support students’ mental health underscores our commitment to student well-being.”

LifeOmic leveraged its software in conjunction with Preventia’s credentialed provider care network; the resulting platform allows Butler students to connect with mental health coaches and therapists via a free app, LIFE Extend. Further, the app provides educational content in addition to connecting students with clinicians.

The app aims to offer several benefits to students. For example, it allows students to receive mental health support outside the traditional 9-5 hours that appointments are typically available. Further, the campus counseling center can become overwhelmed and have wait times – the app connects students with outside providers to circumvent this potential issue.

“This is unique in that we are approaching this from the holistic perspective,” Brian Schroeder, CEO and founder at Preventia said in an email provided by a representative. “Butler’s BUBeWell team knows that mental health is a significant contributor to one’s overall health and wellness. The amazing wellness content and tracking capabilities the students experience in LIFE Extend app, coupled with the individualized support from Preventia’s mental health providers, offers a synergistic wellbeing solution in this university environment.”  

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