Graduate student creates mental health app for FGCU students; aim is launch this fall

Jack Hellmer could not have imagined three years ago as he headed into his sophomore year at Florida Gulf Coast University what he would be doing today.

He’s building a bridge to help FGCU students get a handle on their anxiety and connect them to resources. Ideally his efforts will ease some of the stigma that has dogged mental health for decades.

It’s all happening through a smart phone app, UBYou, he is launching that can give mental health a front door access to FGCU students. He’s aiming for the app to go live to the FGCU student body this fall.

The 22-year-old hopes to expand the app nationally to college campuses to help address the dire need of access to mental health services.

The project led to a partnership between the local chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he is a member, and the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health in Collier County. The FGCU chapter is raising money for David Lawrence and awareness that there is help out there.

“Students are struggling. Since the (COVID-19) pandemic more than ever,” Hellmer said. “But one positive thing is students are more willing to talk about it because they know more are dealing with it and are willing to have a conversation. That conversation alone will help reduce stigma.”

Earlier this month, the annual Healthy Minds Study by the University of Michigan School of Public Health released startling statistics that 44% of college students reported symptoms of depression, 37% have experienced anxiety disorders and 15% said they have seriously considered suicide in the past year. The findings are a record high in the 15-year history of the survey.

The results are based on web surveys from 96,000 U.S. students across 133 campuses in the 2021-22 academic year.

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On a more positive note, the survey found more than one third of the students surveyed reported having one or more therapy or counseling sessions over a one-year timeframe.

Between 2020 and 2022, the number of students that participated in counseling or therapy increased from 30% to 37%, the most significant increase since 2018, according to the findings.

“We need to understand what’s driving rates of depression, anxiety and suicidality in college students, but I’m glad we’re seeing more students accessing services and drawing on other forms of social support,” Justin Heinze, a principal investigator of the study and associate professor at Michigan, said in a news release.

Another survey commissioned by UnitedHealthcare released findings this past week that college students are more likely to report they, a roommate or friend have encountered mental or behavioral health concerns over the past year that can include anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.

For students who have not sought help, 15%  said they did not know where to get it on campus.

More than the summertime blues

Hellmer’s foray into the world of mental health began with himself the summer before his sophomore year at FGCU.

His uncle, who happened to be his best friend, died. Other events took place and Hellmer began to experience symptoms of anxiety. His mind was racing all the time and he felt tightness in his chest.

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His mother noticed and said he seemed “off.” Hellmer went to a psychiatrist after acknowledging things weren’t right.

The psychiatrist wanted to prescribe medication. Hellmer decided to explore natural remedies instead. He altered his diet and exercise habits. He began meditating and deep-breathing exercises.

“I started to feel better,” he said.

That fall back at FGCU, he talked with friends about his anxiety and what he was doing. It resonated.

“Friends said, ‘Oh dude, I get anxiety all the time,’” Hellmer said.

He heard from friends and acquaintances they coped by drinking, smoking or working out.

“It was a very common response,” he said.

Hellmer kept digging and met with mental health counselors on campus. He found out students who want help with a mental health concern often have to wait for an appointment with a counselor, except in emergencies. Others didn’t know where to go in the first place.

“My problem-solving mindset started coming into play,” Hellmer said, referring to his undergraduate studies.

His major as an undergrad was interdisciplinary entrepreneurship studies where the focus is, in part, on identifying problems and coming up with solutions. Next year he will complete his master’s degree in science and entrepreneurship.

He realized something was missing to connect FGCU students to mental health resources: an app.

How his academics at FGCU has played a role

Hellmer came up with the app idea in the fall of 2019. He did a pitch the following spring to the FGCU Runway Program.

It’s a business incubator through FGCU’s entrepreneurship school where current or alumni students compete for seed money to launch a business that addresses a need.

He was initially awarded $4,000 to help with development of his app. FGCU’s entrepreneur program got him connected to potential app developers. He began working with one developer in California.

In total over five semesters, he’s been awarded $41,800 from the FGCU incubator program.

There’s been lots of back and forth on app features and FGCU students are part of testing. They have shared what they like and don’t like on it. He estimates 200 students have tested the app that will work on an iPhone or Android, and could be used on an iPad.

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“To me, it’s an exciting thing because it has many, many students’ opinions in it,” Hellmer said. “It is very tailored to students. Now I have about 50 students testing it out.”

App features include signs and symptoms of anxiety and natural remedies and resources for help, he said. There is a link to 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline.

There are affirmation links on the app to boost morale for the next exam or job interview, and educational videos on how to develop a budget in college, how to write an email to a college professor or prepare a resume. The app is not limited to mental health but delves into broader wellness topics, he said.

For students who decide to go to counseling, there are check-in questions on how they are feeling that day. There will be a feature that will enable a counselor to access how a student answers questions on how they are doing. Some of those details are still being worked out with FGCU, Hellmer said.

How did Alpha Tau Omega get involved?

FGCU has a chapter of ATO since 2017 and it currently has 51 members, including himself, Hellmer said. A national focus is leadership development where community service and philanthropy are important. The local chapter selects a charity annually to support philanthropically.

Hellmer suggested the nonprofit David Lawrence last year since it is known in the community; he had no ties to it personally. A few other nonprofits were considered but a vote of all members of the fraternity resulted in the selection of David Lawrence, which is the dominate mental health provider in Collier.

The fraternity members toured the center and got a firsthand look its services for mental health and addiction treatment.

Scott Burgess, chief executive officer of David Lawrence, said the organization is honored to have the partnership with the fraternity to encourage students who are silently struggling to reach out for support.

“(The fraternity members) are greatly aiding in reducing stigma and are helping in raising resources to ensure all who are in need have access to treatment,” Burgess said in an email. “We are grateful to see these wonderful young men lead efforts on such an important and growing need.  Through their dedication and efforts, they are helping advance desperately needed help, healing and hope.”

In spring of 2022 during philanthropy week on campus, the fraternity raised $9,000 for the mental health center. Various fundraisers included a walk, a golf event on a campus recreation field, raffles, and restaurant nights where portions of proceeds went to the cause. Over the course of the year, the total raised by the fraternity for the mental health center was $16,600.

"Being able to witness firsthand what (David Lawrence) can do with the money we raise gives me peace of mind, knowing that people who are struggling mentally will get the help they deserve,” Quinn Griffin, chair of the fraternity’s fundraiser in 2022, said in a statement.

The fraternity is continuing to support David Lawrence this year during philanthropy week April 3-7, where Hellmer said the goal is to raise $10,000.

Raising $16,600 last year for David Lawrence is the most the fraternity has ever raised. Hellmer is optimistic the upcoming philanthropy week will be a hit based on how much students stepped up last year for David Lawrence.

“The students say they are happy to support it,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU grad student tests smart phone app to help students with stress