Colleges are meeting more of students’ basic needs in an effort to expand and improve mental health care on campus.
More than half of today’s college students experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity—a top reason for those who’ve considered stopping out. Student economic hardship may become more prevalent as colleges and universities adapt to a changing learner demographic and SNAP benefits become more difficult to attain.
“Meeting basic needs such as food and housing is essential to supporting students’ overall mental health and well-being,” says Nydia Dominguez, the basic needs coordinator at San Diego City College. “Many students face difficult trade-offs between rent, food, and educational expenses, which often lead to heightened stress, isolation, and anxiety.”
San Diego City College’s food pantry receives over 1,000 visits a week from students, more than 60% of whom are Pell-eligible. The community college recently expanded beyond its food pantry to offer assistance with housing, transportation, childcare, legal and immigration support, Dominguez says.
The college also collaborates with UThrive, formerly tbh, an AI-powered service that provides students with personalized guidance in accessing federal, state and local resources and benefits.
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Uwill, a preeminent teletherapy provider for over 500 institutions worldwide, recently acquired tbh to create UThrive. The acquisition expands the service’s original scope beyond the California Community College system to institutions nationwide, including all 45 of New Jersey’s two- and four-year schools.
“Wellness does not just encompass traditional therapy services; if basic needs aren’t met, no other needs are either,” says Asaf Zilberfarb, director of product at Uwill and co-founder of tbh. “No matter what brings in a student seeking help—whether it be social, emotional or material concerns—we now have a one-stop shop to meet learners where they’re at.”
In January, Rutgers University upgraded its Rutgers–New Brunswick Food Pantry into the Basic Needs Center, which now provides students with casual and professional clothing, housing supplies, school equipment and even childcare. The Basic Needs Center now serves over 1,300 students per month.
“It changed everything for me,” a nursing major told Rutgers Foundation, the university’s philanthropic arm. “Being able to visit once a week gave me the relief I needed to regain some balance. It made the world of a difference in helping me push through one of the most difficult times in my life.”
