Counseling and therapy app 98point6 revoked their service to Allegheny College as they are going out of business, leaving administrators to search for a replacement.
The change was announced in a campus-wide email on Dec. 19.
Services such as these are beyond important for students, said Dean for Student Life Trae Yeckley. He introduced the 98point6 app to the college, and is now working to replace it alongside colleagues Dean of Student Experience Ian Binnington and Associate Dean for Wellness and Engagement Gretchen Beck.
Yeckley gave insight into the history of Allegheny’s connection to the app as well as the reason it left, and what is being done to implement a different service.
The 98point6 app was available to Allegheny students for about two years and promised them “frictionless virtual care.” Clinicians of the app as well as an AI-powered function worked to recognize and treat those experiencing mental health struggles or in need of the guidance of a therapist.
The app was the one to leave the partnership, not the college.
“The information that they shared with us was that they were going out of business, and so effective Jan. 1 they would no longer be operating,” Yeckley said.
The college is now searching for a service to supplement its in-person services.
“We are looking at other telehealth options,” Yeckley said. “There’s just a couple that we have been discussing and been in contact with those companies.”
Although the names of those businesses can not be disclosed yet, Yeckley had just recently received a report based on recommendations, and said that there will be a decision made on the company they are switching to in “the next couple weeks.”
National companies are being considered this time.
“We have in the past tried to contact a local company and the problem is a lot of our local agencies are also struggling with hiring counselors, or being able to intake the potential volume of calls that might be coming,” Yeckley said.
Prided by their almost ten years of healthcare experience, 98point6 claimed on their website that the app “reduces administrative burden, streamlines throughput, increases patient and provider engagement, and creates new revenue opportunities.” This being said, Yeckley described the service as “moderately successful,” while it was available.
“We didn’t get our last quarter’s data which was kind of disappointing because we like to see what our usage numbers are,” Yeckley said.
There are specific qualities of a telehealth service that they are seeking in a new option.
“We want ease of function for the students, availability of appointments and services, cost is always is a concern for us as well,” Yeckley said. “Whether or not students use it, we want them to have the ability to do so and it brings a level of comfort just to know that they could use it if they needed to.”
Sophia Shiroff, ’28, gave the app a try after being encouraged by coaches, trainers and teammates.
“I definitely like the 24-hour access, and affordability is definitely a huge factor,” Shiroff said. “It’s nice to have that service available when you need it.”
Shiroff was disappointed when it left. She also said that an improvement in advertisement could be made when the new service hits the ground, “making sure the word gets out there, especially to first-year students.” There were many who were unaware that the app was at their disposal the first time, said Shiroff.
Oliver Schneider, ’27, also had experience with the app and was concerned when it left.
“The 98point6 app has impacted me in a positive way. I was able to get a therapist through the app,” Schneider said. “Just knowing that the app could help me if I needed it, was a good fallback plan if I didn’t find a therapist.”
Schneider also said how important the 24/7 aspect of the service was for students in potential emergency situations.
In recent years, the amount of collegiate students experiencing mental health concerns has been on the rise. The American Psychiatric Association reports that as of 2021, “73% of students reported moderate to severe psychological distress.”
“We tend to think of middle age ‘mid-life crisis’ as being the hardest time of your life — it’s actually not,” Yeckley said. “Research shows that it’s when you’re in college and getting ready to leave college. I would encourage students even if you’re not sure you want counseling or think you maybe don’t need it, take advantage of the resources while we have them, because sometimes it’s really nice to have that extra person there just to talk to and validate your experiences.”
“It’s a tough time and use your resources while they’re here,” Yeckley said.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, the following options are available to you:
Call/text the Nationwide Crisis Line at 988
Connect with Allegheny’s partners at Edinboro Counseling and Psychological Services (ECPS) at 814-734-3975