May 13, 2025 — To provide K-12 students with accessible mental health support, Urban Sandbox, the student-first learning platform designed to nurture creativity and social-emotional growth, today introduced The Well Being Program. Made possible through a partnership with The Child & Family Institute and master’s students from Columbia University's psychology department, The Well Being Program offers a comprehensive, three-tiered support system that makes mental health resources available to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By eliminating common barriers like high costs and lengthy wait times, the program fills critical gaps in student mental health care. 

“Urban Sandbox empowers students to speak up and be heard through creative sharing, guided prompts, and positive peer interaction,” said Danna Okuyama, founder and CEO of Urban Sandbox. “By adding The Well Being Program, we're building a holistic ecosystem—one that not only ignites students’ creativity but also delivers the emotional support and professional guidance they need to grow, connect, and truly thrive.”

The Well Being Program offers mental health consultations starting at just $20 per session, with complimentary sessions provided to schools through discounted bulk packages. The program provides three escalating levels of care based on individual student needs:

1. Basic Level: Peer-to-peer support from trained Columbia University psychology master's students is delivered directly through the Urban Sandbox app.
2. Intermediate Level: Guided support by predoctoral child psychologists at The Child & Family Institute provides deeper insight into emotional and behavioral patterns and more personalized guidance.
3. Advanced Level: Professional support with licensed psychologists from The Child & Family Institute offers expert consultations for students in need of higher-level guidance at a fraction of the cost of traditional private sessions.

“Today's students face unprecedented challenges that impact their emotional well-being and academic success," said Dr. Adam Weissman, founding president, CEO, and chief psychologist of The Child and Family Institute. "With The Well Being Program, we're removing barriers to mental health support while creating a stigma-free environment where every student can thrive. We believe emotional health is just as crucial as academic achievement."

The Well Being Program integrates seamlessly with Urban Sandbox's existing features, which empower students to share creative work—including poems, journals, song lyrics, and drawings—in a judgment-free environment. The platform was created to boost confidence and self-esteem, promote emotional expression, enhance motivation, and develop communication skills—all of which contribute to stronger mental well-being by promoting self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging. 

The Well Being Program is now available to all schools. Principals, administrators, parents, and students can learn more by visiting urban-sandbox.com.