As a student, Maggie Rose Macar lost a close friend due to suicide, which eventually led her down a path to creating zant, which aims to help anyone struggling with their mental health with a diverse array of services.
The Modern Mental Health Crisis
While undeniably, the story leading to the creation of this service is incredibly heartbreaking, it’s not uncommon among young students today. With so many students dealing with mental health issues, there are simply not enough resources for anyone who is at a point where they want to seek help.
In an interview, Macar mentioned that with so many students needing help, even those who can get through to someone may need help finding what they need on a college campus. “From speaking with current students, we’ve heard that current and new mental health programs on campus do not fit their needs, with most students feeling that their university will put a program in place just to do so. State-funded initiatives, while valuable, are susceptible to budget cuts, leading to instability in long-term care. Many existing programs also come with limitations such as session caps, lack of post-graduation support, and high out-of-pocket costs, further exacerbating the issue.”
Getting Rid of a Stigma
While it is very reasonable, and correct, to suspect that so many students are now seeking help with their mental health because the last four years have been incredibly difficult on young people. It is also important to remember that much of this is due to the lessening stigma of asking for help.
Macar mentions that “Before the pandemic, mental health support on college campuses often carried a heavy stigma, and there was limited awareness of available services. However, in the wake of the pandemic, there has been a significant shift. Young people today are far more aware of and open to seeking support for their mental well-being. Seeking help has become normalized, as shown through relatable content and supportive communities on social media platforms, as well as from influencers online, and through the increase in visits with mental health professionals.”
Factors also include that many more parents and guardians are becoming supportive and understanding of their child’s struggles. “Parents and mentors are actively encouraging young people to prioritize their mental health. The post-pandemic era has also seen a surge in mental health startups, offering confidential and accessible support options, free from the stress or pressure that could come from parental or administrative involvement. Lastly, concerns about privacy, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, have increased the importance of confidentiality and data protection within mental health and coaching services,” Maggie says.
A Brighter Future
Yet, despite all of this Macar is sure that there is a way out of this situation. She suggests that schools that are struggling to keep up with the needs of the students, due to either staffing issues, or the fact that many aren’t properly equipped to deal with such a plethora of affairs, should begin to look at outsourcing for more help.
“There is definitely hope for improvement through student advocacy and innovative solutions. By partnering with organizations like zant, universities can enhance or replace their existing support systems with programs and solutions that students can trust and rely on. By offering partnered programs such as zant at the university level, we can develop trust as a 3rd party between the school and the students along with a variety of services that can continue post-graduation, without pause. That is how we, at zant, want to contribute to helping young people. Whether through building better habits and having someone to talk to or potentially saving a life,” Macar explained.
In Conclusion
Maggie Rose Macar has created a great service for young people seeking an alternative form of therapy that many schools may not be able to provide. To anyone currently struggling with any type of mental health issue, Macar encourages you to “Reach out to trusted individuals such as friends, mentors, or family members and share your feelings or struggles because they may have recommendations you have not considered. Additionally, exploring online platforms and apps like zant can provide confidential support tailored to individual needs without the typical barriers faced within university systems. In cases of urgent need, services like the crisis text line (text HOME to 741-741) offer immediate support and guidance.”
