By Melisa Rodriguez
Graphic by Maya Uribe
In today’s fast-paced world, mental health challenges among students are becoming increasingly common. The rise in anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles often leave students feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Dr. Tully (They/Them), Vice President of Partnerships for Kooth, a digital mental health organization, spoke about the company’s revolutionary approach to addressing these challenges through Soluna, a digital mental health services platform designed in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services to offer free mental health support to Californians aged 13 to 25. Tully discussed Soluna’s origin, its purpose and the ways it helps students navigate mental health concerns.
The Inspiration Behind Soluna
Tully explained that the inspiration behind Soluna and Kooth itself stems from the company’s roots in the United Kingdom. Kooth, which began in 2001, was founded by a school counselor and their Internet-savvy friend. Together, they saw the potential of the internet to provide accessible mental health support to young people. Tully shared, “Kooth was born at that kitchen table… it started off as an anonymous email service where you could just email a counselor and get support as needed.”
The company’s mission was clear from the start. It aimed to increase access to meaningful mental health support by meeting young people where they were. Tully emphasized that the digital nature of the service made it a convenient and safe option for young people who may face barriers like insurance, transportation or stigma in traditional mental health settings.
Challenges Students Face Today
When asked about the mental health challenges students face, Tully discussed both personal and societal factors contributing to the rise in anxiety and depression among students. “We know from a variety of places that the vast majority of us in the United States will experience some form of anxiety or depression at some point in our life,” they noted. Specifically, a recent survey found that 70% of college students struggle with mental health after starting college. This statistic highlights the unique stressors faced in higher education, including financial burdens, social pressures and the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities. Tully added, “Right now is a particularly difficult time in our communities… there’s a lot of
uncertainty around things like climate change, around the economy, and around financial and family stresses.” These pressures, combined with the difficulty of accessing care, make it evident that students need more than just traditional therapy services.
How Soluna Addresses These Challenges
Soluna directly addresses these challenges by providing an array of services designed to support students wherever they are. “Soluna is a mental health services platform currently available either through a web based portal or application on a smartphone and soon to be available through a tablet compatible platform as well,” Tully explained. The app offers four key features: informational resources, coping tools, a peer community forum and one-on-one behavioral health coaching.
Soluna’s content library provides articles, audio and videos on various mental health topics, such as managing anxiety and understanding ADHD. It also offers coping tools like guided breathing exercises, mood tracking and a “thought shaker” to provide positive affirmations during stressful moments.
Additionally, Soluna’s peer community forum allows users to seek support and offer advice in a safe, anonymous, and moderated space. “You can ask questions without fear of judgment and you can respond without fear of stigma or judgment around your response,” said Tully. This fosters a sense of connectedness among users, promoting shared experiences and support.
Perhaps one of the most powerful features of Soluna is its behavioral health coaching. Tully elaborated, “You can request to have a chat with a coach… You can either do a drop-in session with one of our coaches, or you can book a session with a coach ahead of time.” These sessions are designed to address immediate concerns, offering students a way to navigate stressors like exams or job interviews. With wait times of under 90 seconds, this feature provides fast, accessible support in moments of need.
Lastly, Soluna’s care navigation service connects users with additional resources like low-cost or no-cost therapy, housing support and financial assistance. As Tully pointed out, “It’s not just social conflict or exams or studying… it’s also, can I pay my rent? Where am I living next year? How am I getting my dinner tonight?” Soluna’s comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a student’s life are considered, even those not traditionally associated with mental health.
Ensuring Accessibility and User-Friendliness
Soluna’s user-friendly design was shaped with students in mind. Tully explained the development process involved over 300 young people who collaborated to ensure the platform met their needs. “We need folks like yourself in the room helping us design something that is meaningful to you,” said Tully. This youth-centered approach ensures that Soluna remains relevant and accessible to its users.
Moreover, Soluna is designed with accessibility in mind, adhering to ADA compliance and offering features like screen reader compatibility and subtitles for video content. Students can access the platform on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers.
Providing Support and Resources
Soluna represents a transformative approach to student mental health, offering an accessible, non-judgmental and comprehensive support system that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. By combining educational resources, coping tools, peer support, professional coaching and care navigation, Soluna is helping students take charge of their mental well-being. As Tully concluded, “It is clear that there’s a need for mental health support services. And so having a digital pathway as well is a really nice way of enhancing access to care.”
For students struggling with mental health challenges, Soluna offers a vital resource in building resilience, seeking support, and navigating the complexities of life as a young adult.
By Ashley Tolteca
