Innovative Technology Grants Psychology and Public Health Students a Volunteer Opportunity to Provide Online Peer-to-Peer Counseling at No Cost

CHICAGO, March 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) students now have access to a new and booming online tool they can use to hone their skills by interacting with an online mental health prevention and management network that provides peer-to-peer mental health counseling. The Chicago School, a nonprofit university, and one of the leading institutions devoted to psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences teamed up with Prevail Health Solutions, one of its community partners, to provide its psychology and behavioral health students nationwide with an opportunity to apply their skills via technology developed by Prevail Health Solutions, and its respective mobile application.  

Prevail is a Chicago-based healthcare technology company that has created an online system that provides support to people struggling with mental health issues through online chats—the area in which TCSPP students are trained—and also offers an interactive online treatment program that has undergone two clinical trials and proven effective. With 110,000 unique visitors during the last 12 months, Prevail is one of the leaders in the burgeoning field of mental health technology.

"Prevail is at the perfect nexus of health and technology," said Bill Freeman, DBA, MBA, the director and chair of The Chicago School's Master of Public Health Program, offered online and onground at its Los Angeles Campus. "The program was brought to our attention by Irving Steel, a current MPH student and manager of Business Development and Population Health at Prevail, where he is also completing his final capstone applied research project.  Prevail is a superb example of practical academics, real-world application and our commitment to graduating MPH students fully prepared for careers in a dramatically changing healthcare environment."

Research by Mental Health America has shown that people experiencing mental health illnesses who receive support from peers tend to experience more thorough and longer lasting recovery. By simply creating a profile through www.iPrevail.com or by downloading the iPrevail mobile application in the iTunes store, participants can vent, lower stress levels, and receive support from Trained Peer Specialists such as participating TCSPP students—who go through Prevail's proprietary online mental health training program. 

"We are excited to work with Prevail on this cutting edge volunteer opportunity since these programs are becoming prevalent in our discipline," said The Chicago School's Associate Director of Community Partnerships Sayaka Machizawa, Psy.D. "Prevail Health allows our students across the country and all campuses to have a common place to volunteer while supporting the health and wellness of our communities," she added.

Prevail Health Solutions Founder Richard Gengler said, "We are really excited about partnering with The Chicago School. Our model exposes the psychology and healthcare students to innovative technology that gives people struggling with mental health issues an opportunity to talk to someone with the appropriate skills at no charge."

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences. The university serves nearly 4,500 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles and Irvine); and Washington, D.C., as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Chicago is accredited by the American Psychological Association. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is a leader in professional psychology education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.

About Prevail Health:
Prevail is a clinically proven mental health prevention and management network easily accessible for anyone with Internet or smart phone connection. Prevail provides individualized one-on-one support, training, and resources for those successfully living with depression, anxiety, and other life challenges in the most convenient and private setting.  By interacting with the community, users are better able to face the present moment and Prevail! 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Irving Steel: (929) 272-9085     
irving@prevailhs.com
Rebecca Bravo: (909) 223-6148
rbravo@thechicagoschool.edu

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SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology