As the mental health crisis continues to impact young adults, college student mental health support has become a top priority for higher education institutions. Campuses across the U.S. and Canada are under pressure to address the rising demand for mental health services, and many are turning to innovative partnerships with behavioral health companies. One of the most notable moves in this space is UpLift’s acquisition of TAO Connect, a digital platform designed specifically to meet the mental health needs of college students.
This acquisition not only brings together UpLift’s clinical services with TAO’s self-guided resources, but it also strengthens a scalable, tech-driven model for college student mental health support. With more than 170 institutions already using TAO, the move marks a significant step toward accessible and comprehensive care for students navigating the stressors of campus life.
Addressing a Growing Crisis on Campus
Mental health issues among college students are at an all-time high. From academic pressure and financial stress to social anxiety and post-pandemic trauma, students are facing a wide range of challenges. According to UpLift CEO Kyle Talcott, this population may require even more robust mental health solutions than the general public.
“The need for behavioral health is more intense [at universities] than it is even for the broad population, which is bad enough,” Talcott said. “We see this opportunity to take an insurance-based reimbursement model and apply it in higher ed.”
This insight drove UpLift’s entry into the college space. By partnering with existing platforms like TAO, UpLift is bridging the gap between self-guided wellness tools and full-scale clinical care—creating a seamless system for college student mental health support.
Why TAO Connect Matters
Founded in 2014, TAO Connect (short for Therapist Assisted Online) is built for the way students consume information today—through bite-sized, interactive digital content. Its modules cover anxiety, depression, mindfulness, substance use, and more, making it a go-to solution for schools looking to expand their college student mental health support offerings without overwhelming their on-campus counseling teams.
TAO’s approach fits student life perfectly. As Julian Cohen, UpLift’s Chief Clinical Services Officer, put it:
“It [now] leads the student who does need more, and a large percentage of them do, to … get therapy services and actually see a provider.”
With this acquisition, UpLift can now guide students from self-help tools directly into clinical therapy and psychiatry, all while remaining within the same platform.
Combining Digital Tools with Clinical Care
UpLift, a New York-based digital behavioral health provider, offers virtual therapy and psychiatry to individuals, couples, and families. After raising $10.7 million in Series A funding in July 2023, UpLift has expanded rapidly, including a November 2023 acquisition of Minded, a telepsychiatry provider focused on women’s mental health.
Now, with the addition of TAO, UpLift is combining the best of both worlds: self-paced wellness and live, insurance-covered care. Students using the TAO platform can now access UpLift’s licensed therapists and psychiatrists, helping them move seamlessly from light-touch support to full clinical care.
One of the standout features of this integration is the platform’s embedded navigation tools, which help students find a provider who accepts their insurance. This is a major advancement in college student mental health support, ensuring that more students can afford the care they need without navigating confusing insurance networks on their own.
Continuity of Care Beyond Graduation
A major challenge for student mental health programs is the loss of access after graduation. But UpLift is designed to follow students beyond campus. Once a student begins therapy or psychiatry with an UpLift provider, they can continue their care post-graduation—even if their insurance changes.
“You’ll be responsible for your own cost share, but our average out-of-pocket is around $20,” Talcott explained. “It’s something that can not only help you through a challenging time and transition as you’re going to college but also with the next big transition.”
This emphasis on continuity makes UpLift a leader in long-term college student mental health support, extending its impact well beyond a student’s academic years.
Deep Integration Into Campus Life
TAO’s success has stemmed from its deep integration into university ecosystems. Schools have used TAO modules in coursework, embedded them into e-learning systems, and trained faculty to bring these resources directly to students.
“They have actual faculty bringing TAO to students,” Talcott said. “They have integrated and figured out the areas within campuses where they can engage the students and get this in front of them as a resource when they need it.”
By tapping into these existing relationships and expanding them with clinical care options, UpLift enhances the value of every touchpoint—cementing its place as a comprehensive solution for college student mental health support.
Looking Ahead: A Scalable Model for Student Care
While UpLift continues to explore partnerships beyond education—including employers and Canadian provincial systems—the company remains laser-focused on higher education for now.
With mental health demands increasing and institutional budgets stretched thin, this insurance-based, tech-enabled model offers a scalable approach to college student mental health support that benefits both students and schools. By meeting students where they are—online, on campus, and on their terms—UpLift is creating a new standard for care delivery.
Final Thoughts
UpLift’s acquisition of TAO Connect represents more than a business move. It’s a reimagining of how college student mental health support can and should work in today’s world. With flexible access, clinical integration, and insurance-backed affordability, the new UpLift-TAO ecosystem is designed to support students through every phase of their academic and post-academic journey.
As mental health becomes a cornerstone of student success, partnerships like this one offer a compelling roadmap for how campuses and care providers can come together to build healthier futures for the next generation.
