Moodr Health, WV Junior College partner to pioneer mental health support for nurses in training

Apr. 17—MORGANTOWN — Local medtech startup Moodr Health and West Virginia Junior College have partnered to launch a pilot program to offer nurses in training much-needed mental health support.

The program will debut at WVJC's Charleston campus, for its incoming cohort of 50 nursing students who will start this spring.

Moodr Health, a startup from Intermed Labs and Morgantown tech firm M &S Consulting, describes its platform as a digital healthcare solution dedicated to proactively addressing, treating and evaluating mental health challenges—achieved in this partnership through text messaging and life coach navigators.

Moodr and WVJC explained that the majority of WVJC's student body is non-traditional, adult learners, balancing academic pursuits with external responsibilities such as work and family obligations. This demographic faces unique stressors, particularly in WVJC's accelerated 18-month nursing program that condenses the content of traditional two-year programs.

Last year, we reported that Mon Health's P3 program—Progressing through Postpartum—had teamed with Moodr to offer perinatal care for expectant and post-delivery moms dealing with mental health challenges.

Now, the Moodr-WVJC partnership offers a new direction for the platform. WVJC CEO Chad Callen has been instrumental in advocating for student well-being and spearheaded the integration of the Moodr platform into the nursing curriculum.

"The accelerated nature of our nursing program at WVJC undoubtedly intensifies the inherent stresses of nursing school. Recognizing this, we've embarked on a strategic partnership with Moodr Health to introduce life coach navigators for our students.

"This initiative is not just about navigating the rigorous demands of nursing school, " he said, "but equally about managing life's challenges alongside. Our aim is clear: to enhance student success. Consequently, we anticipate this will lead to an increase in the number of qualified nurses ready to serve our hospitals and communities."

Raleigh General Hospital is a partner facility of WVJC's nursing program. Marsha Jamison, chief nursing officer at Raleigh General, said, "Mental health is a crucial aspect of nursing education and practice, and we applaud WVJC's proactive approach in prioritizing the well-being of their students. The skills and resilience cultivated through this program will undoubtedly benefit our healthcare team at Raleigh General Hospital, and we look forward to welcoming these graduates as they embark on their careers in nursing."

Michelle Hopkins, chief customer success officer at Moodr Health, said, "We are thrilled to partner with West Virginia Junior College to provide ongoing well-being support to their nursing students. At Moodr Health, we are committed to empowering individuals to prioritize their mental and emotional wellness, and this partnership allows us to extend our support to a dedicated group of future healthcare professionals. Together, we look forward to fostering a culture of resilience, compassion and holistic well-being within the WVJC community."

WVJC was among the pioneering recipients of the Moodr Early Innovator Grant, for $11, 250, designed to support initiatives aligned with Moodr Health's mission of proactive mental health support.