ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 23, 2009) – UnitedHealthcare StudentResources is providing college students enrolled in its health plans access to a free 24/7 support network to help them manage stress and other common issues that can detract from their wellness and academic success.

UnitedHealthcare's Collegiate Assistance Program is designed to give students comprehensive support and information for a variety of health and well-being concerns, including:

• family problems
• work or school stress
• financial troubles
• legal worries
• substance abuse
• health concerns

A College Stress and Mental Health Poll conducted last year by the Associated Press and college television network mtvU revealed that 80 percent of college students surveyed said they felt stress in their daily lives, and an alarming 16 percent said a friend talked with them about suicide in the past year.

"The Collegiate Assistance Program provides students with free comprehensive and expert behavioral health-related support to help them better cope with the issues and stress that affect their daily lives," said UnitedHealthcare StudentResources President Bill Truxal. "Stress can induce many immediate, harmful disorders – such as dizzy spells, headaches and insomnia – that can result in chronic health problems down the road, so it's important to address stress-related symptoms early so that students can focus on their educational goals and enjoy a healthful college experience."

UnitedHealthcare's health and well-being support services are easy for college students to use. Students simply dial a toll-free number to speak with a master's level licensed clinician and/or registered nurse. This service is available around the clock, 365 days a year. Students can also receive a free consultation with an attorney or financial adviser for help with non-clinical issues, such as mounting credit-card debt, divorce, child-custody matters, and shelter from abusive relationships. On-call legal assistance is available during normal business hours.

This enhanced network of support services is automatically available to any college student enrolled in a health plan with UnitedHealthcare StudentResources, which currently provides injury and sickness insurance to students at more than 400 colleges and universities across the United States.

About UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources, a line of business within UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company (UNH), is one of the nation's largest providers of student health plans with decades of experience meeting the diverse and customized insurance needs of students. The company offers health insurance plans that provide single, year-round coverage to individual students at colleges and universities, as well as accident and health policies for students at public and private schools in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.