Hackensack Meridian Health and Georgian Court University Launch Psychiatric Care Partnership

Mental health services on college campuses have seen increased demand, largely due to post-pandemic stressors and rising levels of anxiety and depression among young adults. The American College Health Association reports that over 75 percent of college students experience moderate to severe psychological distress, with anxiety and depression being the most common issues.

This partnership aims to address these concerns by integrating psychiatric care from HMH into GCU’s counseling framework. It facilitates timely access to care, and students utilizing GCU's counseling center can receive referrals for psychiatric services, which helps mitigate barriers related to access, insurance, and privacy. The services will be available during the academic year as part of an ongoing collaboration.

Students can seek psychiatric care from Dr. Shirmela Rambally, an attending psychiatrist with HMH, with the option of in-person meetings at Jackson Health Village or virtual appointments through HMH's platform. This flexibility is designed to accommodate students' schedules.

Kenneth Esser, Executive Vice President of Behavioral Health at Hackensack Meridian Health, noted that over 40 percent of college students report significant depressive symptoms affecting their functioning. He emphasized the importance of meeting students where they are, both physically and emotionally, to eliminate barriers to care.

Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia, Interim President of Georgian Court University, stated that the partnership directly addresses the increasing mental health needs of college students. By combining HMH's clinical experience with GCU's counseling services, the collaboration is designed to improve care continuity and remove obstacles to access.

Dr. Teri Wurmser, Dean of the Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU, highlighted the importance of connecting students to specialized psychiatric care and closely coordinating with campus services to ensure comprehensive support.

Students have expressed that this new partnership makes accessing psychiatric care feel more integrated and supportive. Yaseen Mouffok, an undergraduate student and full-time athlete at GCU, shared that the collaboration provides reassurance and helps him focus on his mental well-being and academic success.

This agreement represents a significant step in providing students with enhanced psychiatric care and support.