Minnesota State Partners with Mantra Health for New Mental Health Solution
- Heather Harman
- Feb 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Minnesota State has partnered with Mantra Health to introduce a free 24/7 mental health resource to students. This new online tool, available to any student taking at least one credit at a Minnesota State college or university, expands existing support by offering a platform accessible for students at any time and any place.
Research by the Healthy Minds Network shows that more than four out of 10 college students are living with anxiety or depression. And, according to a recent Gallup-Lumina survey, 76 percent of students considered stopping their coursework due to emotional stress.
The partnership is possible because the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Tim Walz recognized this escalating mental health need, and appropriated funds for Minnesota State to address it. The investment reflects the state’s commitment to equipping the colleges and universities of Minnesota State with the resources needed to support student well-being, and its understanding that mental health is a critical factor in student success and retention.
In addition to the existing on-campus counseling services offered on Minnesota State
campuses, students will now have access to the following Mantra Health programs:
Self Care – self-guided wellness courses grounded in the skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance
Digital Peer-to-Peer Support – anonymous and clinically monitored peer-to-peer mental health community led by Togetherall
Emotional Wellness Coaching – one-on-one coaching tailored to students’ specific needs
Therapy – clinical therapy provided by licensed mental health professionals, available evenings and weekends
ConnectNow – in-the-moment, single-session video consultation with trained mental health professionals to support and problem-solve with students
Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP) – priority access to virtual IOP provider Charlie Health, available across 35 states, including Minnesota
24/7 Crisis Support – on-demand crisis line for students in distress on campus, online, and studying abroad
Proprietary Technology Ecosystem – access to collaboration portal for campus-clinicians, seamlessly integrated into campus systems, and a student mobile-app creating numerous pathways to care and collaboration
“Minnesota State is here to support students through every step of their education journey,” said Paul Shepherd, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for Minnesota State. “Our students face challenges that make progress towards their academic goals difficult including mental health and basic needs support. Minnesota State is committed to helping them navigate their lives and reach their education goals. This partnership with Mantra is an important piece of that commitment.”
Designed to complement existing counseling services, this partnership focuses on providing supplemental mental health support for students, alongside mental health education and training for faculty and staff. The program is seamlessly integrated into existing campus models, ensuring every student has access to the holistic resources they need to thrive.
“Mantra Health is proud to partner with Minnesota State to power one of the most innovative mental well-being programs in higher education, expanding access to evidence-based mental health and wellness services to their students nationwide and abroad,” said Matt Kennedy, Co- Founder and CEO of Mantra Health. “By working closely with Minnesota State and each institution, we’re excited to integrate our program into every step of the student journey—from freshman orientation through graduation—ensuring students receive high- quality care whenever and wherever they need it.”
Read the original story in full here.