Troy University is partnering with TimelyCare to offer students extensive, 24/7 mental-health and self-care resources.
TimelyCare is a virtual provider that will be available to full-time students on the main campus for no cost. Unlike Troy’s free in-person counseling services, TimelyCare’s therapy allows students to receive diagnoses and discounted prescriptions. These services will also be accessible to international students as TimelyCare has translators for over 300 languages.
Accessing these resources is as easy as downloading an app.
“A crisis doesn’t make an appointment, and a crisis doesn't wait for business hours,” said Grace Wagstaff, Troy University’s Title IX coordinator who played a key role in bringing TimelyCare to Troy. “The wait times in the counseling center can get extensive because so many people need mental health care.
“With TimelyCare, if you need to talk to somebody that day, you can talk that day.” On the TimelyCare app, students can look at the profiles of counselors and pick one whose values and expertise align with their personal needs. Students are guaranteed nine free and confidential sessions a semester and can, if they wish, utilize Troy University’s in-person counseling center at the same time.
“Students should utilize it as much as they can and not worry about the caps,” Wagstaff said. “TimelyCare made it really clear that if somebody needs more free sessions, they're not going say ‘no.’”
TimelyCare is for more than just mental health. Students can request basic needs – like food and health resources – from Troy University. The app also has a large library of self-care, practical skills, and health management videos and resources, so students can learn anything from frying an egg to how to practice yoga.
Further, TimelyCare offers on-demand emotional support, health coaching, peer-to-peer support and success counseling.
“Mental health related issues are incredibly prevalent among college students,” said Jennifer Duncan, director of the Student Counseling Center. “If left untreated, these issues could negatively impact all areas of their life and have long term consequences.
“That is why it is so crucial for students to have access to quality mental health resources while they are in school . . . we believe this service will help fill in the gaps and be a valuable supplement to our existing in-person services, giving our students flexible options for receiving the mental health care that they need and deserve."
Eventually, TimelyCare will expand to include other students and more campuses.
“Over the last several years, we have seen an increase in the number of students experiencing a need for mental health counseling,” said Herbert Reeves, Troy University’s dean of student services. “TimelyCare allows us to meet this need by providing a significant increase in resources available for our students.
“TimelyCare will be another tool available to assist those needing help and hopefully allow them to persist on campus in their pursuit of completing their degree.”
There will be several in-person launches where students can come to ask questions and get help navigating TimelyCare’s resources. Students who come to the launches will receive swag and the chance to win a gift card.
The launches will be Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Trojan Center and Monday, Jan. 27th in the Recreation Center.
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