SACRAMENTO, Calif., Wellness Together, a national nonprofit mental health organization, today announced its growing partnership with Sutter Health. In the latest demonstration of Sutter’s commitment to increasing access to mental health support for students, the Northern California-based healthcare system has become a premier sponsor of the 8th Annual Wellness Together Student Mental Wellness Conference, the world’s largest student mental health advocacy conference. The two organizations unite in their shared mission and commitment to increase access to mental health support for students, their families and school communities in California.

The Wellness Together Student Mental Wellness Conference, October 9-11, in Anaheim, Calif., unifies over 2,000 educators, school administrators, policymakers and school mental health professionals from across the globe. The conference includes keynote messages from leading mental health advocates, over 100 breakout sessions with the latest in mental health research and built-in opportunities to cultivate connections that can transform student support systems.

The Wellness Together/Sutter Health partnership began in September 2021 when Sutter provided funding to implement Wellness Together’s school-based therapy program in 14 San Francisco Bay Area schools. As a not-for-profit organization, Sutter regularly reinvests resources back into California communities to ensure those in need have access to services across the continuum of care.

Wellness Together’s school-based therapy program places clinically trained Mental Health Specialists on school campuses to provide individual and group counseling as well as crisis intervention to students who need it. By placing trained therapists on campuses, students have access to evidence-based, culturally competent in-person mental health sessions. The program also allows school leaders and staff to collaborate with the therapists to improve their school climate. Since 2016, Wellness Together’s school-based therapy program has supported over 146,000 kindergarten through 12th-grade students, 20,300 college students and 33,000 educators across the United States.

Sutter’s contributions to Wellness Together, totaling $1.255 million over four years, have funded school-based therapy for 14 California schools, ensuring students have access to the mental health support they need. Of those who received support, 92% demonstrated increased social-emotional well-being. By helping students achieve their mental health goals and untangle emotions, they are more prepared to learn and capable of reaching their full potential.

“Sutter Health strives to be an industry innovator by integrating physical and mental health services to care for each person’s total health and well-being. We work alongside partners to transform the mental health and addiction care system from the ground up. Our partnership with Wellness Together exemplifies this commitment, and we are proud to support their school-based therapy program to increase access to vital mental health services for students, along with their upcoming 8th Annual Student Mental Wellness Conference,” said Dan Peterson, CEO, Sutter Health Behavioral Health Services.

“Our partnership with Sutter Health has been transformative in expanding access to mental health services for students across the Bay Area. Sutter’s commitment to supporting student well-being aligns perfectly with our mission, and their continued sponsorship enables us to reach even more schools and communities. Together, we are not only addressing the immediate mental health needs of students but also building a foundation for lifelong resilience and success. We are incredibly grateful for Sutter Health’s support and shared dedication to fostering a healthier future for our youth,” said Marlon Morgan, Founder & CEO of Wellness Together.

To learn more about Wellness Together programs including school-based therapy and the 8th Annual Wellness Together Student Mental Health Conference visit www.wellnesstogether.org.