Leslie Collins, M.A., Founder coachleslie44@gmail
Your Self-talk matters (ystm): empower yourself from the inside out
a customized on-demand 24/7 mental wellness app for students
whether you're a university or community organization, ystm is a smart investment in supporting mental wellness & student success.
Institutions that prioritize mental health see stronger student retention, improved academic outcomes, and a more positive campus climate. Partner with us to provide your students with a tool that supports their whole-person well-being and success—both in college and beyond.
College students are navigating academic pressure, social dynamics, and a world of uncertainty. Our app offers instant support through science-based micro-meditations that build resilience, emotional balance, and mental clarity—so students can show up as their best selves in and out of the classroom.
customized on-demand mental wellness tools that are easy to access when students need them, 24/7
Our app fits seamlessly into a student’s day. Whether it’s a 5-minute reset between classes or a pre-exam confidence boost, students can choose from short, powerful practices that help them feel more in control of their emotions and mindset—anytime, anywhere.
Cutomized for your school & students! We tailor your app with your school colors, logo & mascot! We make integration easy. The app can be branded for your school, tailored to specific student populations (e.g., athletes, first-gen, international students), and includes analytics to track engagement and impact. It's a simple, scalable solution to meet the growing mental health needs on campus.
Top Mental Health Challenges for U.S. College Students (2025)
1. Anxiety & Depression: Routine stressors—academic pressure, social shifts, financial strain—fueling a surge in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Recent data shows about 70% of students report mental health struggles since starting college.
Decider+9Managed Healthcare Executive+9American Psychological Association+9U.S. News & World Report.
Depression is especially common, with around 44% experiencing symptoms, and 15% considering suicide in the past year Verywell Mind.
2. Suicidal Ideation & Planning: Rates of suicidal ideation have climbed sharply—from 6% in 2007 to 13% in 2024, and suicide planning has tripled in that time.
School Mental Health+4Medical Xpress+4UnitedHealthcare+4.
3. Substance Use & Its Negative Impact on Academic Performance: A significant number struggle with substance use, which negatively impacts GPA, retention, and wellbeing.
Forbes+15Mental Health First Aid+15Best Value Schools+15.
4. Financial Stress & Food Insecurity: Escalating tuition, housing, and living costs are taking a toll on mental health. Food insecurity is increasingly common, distracting academically and contributing to depressive symptoms. Student debt stress disproportionately affects marginalized students, interfering with access to care and emotional wellbeing. Teen Vogue.
Additional research says...
The Problem: Rising Student Mental Health Needs
- Over 60% of college students report experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and nearly 1 in 4 report being diagnosed with depression. — American College Health Association (ACHA), 2023
- 95% of college counseling centers report a growing demand for services, especially related to anxiety, stress, and depression. — Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), Penn State, 2022
- A Healthy Minds Study found that only about 40% of students with a mental health diagnosis receive any treatment, largely due to access, stigma, or time. — The Healthy Minds Network, 2023
incorporating science backed proven techniques...
Designed by mental health educators and mindfulness experts, our app uses a variety of evidence-based techniques and tools that have been researched and proven to support emotional well-being and academic performance. From managing test anxiety to improving focus and sleep, students receive real-time support right in the palm of their hand.
Dr. Wendy Suzuki's studies indicate that even brief daily meditation sessions—ranging from 3 to 13 min.—can significantly improve cognitive functions & emotional well-being... enhanced attention & working memory, improved mood & emotional regulation, reduced anxiety levels. ACC Docket+1PubMed+1PubMed & New York UniversityHealth
Positive Psychology Interventions: The Science of Happiness Course teaches evidence-based “happiness hacks” like expressing gratitude, performing acts of kindness, talking to strangers, keeping a diary, and exercising. Why it matters: Students who continued integrating these practices into their lives reported 10–15% higher well-being, even two years later—a clinically meaningful improvement. The Guardian+7eLuma+7PMC+7The Times+1
Mindfulness: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for example, has been shown to reduce anxiety/depression through enhanced self-awareness and emotional regulation. Why it matters: clinical studies show MBSR produces moderate evidence of reducing anxiety and depression—common mental health challenges among students. It also enhances emotional self-regulation, helping students manage stress and rumination more effectively. Wall Street Journal+13Wikipedia+13American Council on Education+13
Peer & Community Support Models: Creates early detection, intervention, and a culture of empathy on campus. Programs like Mental Health First Aid and peer counseling (e.g., Duke’s, UNC’s, Washington University’s initiatives) train faculty, staff, and students to recognize and respond to mental health concerns—fostering a supportive, stigma-free campus environment. eLuma+12TIME+12Wikipedia+12
empowering students from the inside-out!
College life can be exciting—but also overwhelming. Your Self-talk Matters supports students in mastering essential skills to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and build inner resilience. Through guided micro-meditations & practical mental health tools, students learn to calm their mind & improve their ability to focus & face challenges with greater clarity & confidence.
Your Self-Talk Matters is an empowerment tool for students with 24/7 access to improve their mindset & emotional wellbeing, for example:
- Improved focus & concentration
- Reduced stress
- Better sleep quality
- Greater ability to manage one’s emotions
- Enhanced feelings of wellbeing
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved social & emotional skills that can improve relationships
this isn't just data—they're feeling the weight of a generation navigating extraordinary stress.
Additionally there are currently significant gaps in the existing traditional support systems causing added strain on providers as well as students:
Mental health resources are overwhelmed: demand grows faster than student enrollment, yet only 25% of students who struggle seek help The Mental Health Coalition+1.
Counseling centers face staffing shortages—almost 54% of directors have under six years’ experience, and funding cuts (e.g., the 988 Lifeline) threaten crisis support infrastructure sfchronicle.com+15Forbes+15eSchool News+15.
How YSTM Helps Students
College life brings freedom, opportunity—and unprecedented pressure. Students face academic demands, social changes, financial stress, and constant self-comparison. Much of this pressure is fueled by negative self-talk—the quiet voice that says I’m not enough, I can’t do this, or I’m falling behind.
YSTM helps students break that cycle. It gives them instant, private, 24/7 access to evidence-based tools that:
- Reduce anxiety and overwhelm in the moment
- Build confidence and emotional resilience over time
- Improve focus, motivation, and academic performance
- Create a kinder, more empowering inner dialogue
- Foster a sense of control, clarity, and hope
It’s like having a personal mental health toolkit in your pocket, ready whenever you need it—whether that’s before a big test, after a tough conversation, or in the middle of a lonely night.
Let's Connect!
Leslie Collins, M.A., Founder of Your Self-Talk Matters (YSTM)
Leslie Collins, M.A., earned her master’s degree in Psychology from Antioch University, is a Deepak Chopra–certified Meditation Instructor, & has years of experience as both a licensed massage therapist & psychotherapist. She created Your Self-Talk Matters (YSTM) to empower young adults (18–28) with practical tools & mindset skills to navigate life with more confidence and less anxiety. Think of YSTM as a roadmap to life—one that reveals the “rules of the road” so they’re no longer a mystery.
Please reach out!
coachleslie44@gmail.com @lesliecollinsmindfulness (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliemcollins https://www.facebook.com/leslie.marie.collins1 Vendor (Sub-Contractor) at TIPS Purchasing System (Co-op)
“Leslie has a unique gift for helping people reconnect with their inner strength. Her micro-meditations and mindset tools have helped me feel calmer, more centered, and more confident navigating stressful moments in my own life. I can only imagine how powerful this will be for college students.”
Casey Levy, Interior Designer & Recent NYU Grad
"Leslie is wonderful." "“What Leslie is creating is more than an app—it’s a toolkit for inner well-being. Her content is encouraging, grounded, and full of heart. If students have access to this kind of support, it could change how they experience college—emotionally and academically.”
Kim Dent, Principal - Kim Dent Design, Meditation Enthusiast
"leslie is incredibly knowledgable about what she teaches. She has managed to get my daughter to slow down & take a more objective look at how she treats herself & others & she's now more open & optimistic about her future. My daughter's definitely more positive & has changed for the better!"
Chris Morgan, Accountant and Mom
“I’ve watched Leslie develop her student-focused tools over the past two years, and what stands out is how practical and relatable they are. She truly understands the emotional landscape of young adults, and her tools give students the emotional language and support they’re often missing.”
Josephine Chung, Ph.D., ADHD Coach, Educator & Parent
“I’ve had the privilege of seeing Leslie’s dedication & vision behind Your Self-Talk Matters. She brings years of mindfulness expertise & deep compassion into everything she creates. Any university that adopts this program will be giving their students powerful tools that extend far beyond college."
Paul Collins, Head of Strategy & Innovation, Elmwood Brands