Texas State Partners with TimelyCare, expanding mental health services

By Preethi Mangadu 

News & Culture Director 

SAN MARCOS — Texas State University expanded its mental health services and resources by partnering with TimelyCare. 

TimelyCare is a 24/7 virtual care service for college students and the TXST community at no additional charge that works alongside current services at the Counseling Center and Student Health Center. 

“We have seen it really as an extension of our existing services here on campus,” assistant director of the Counseling Center and senior psychologist Dr. Richard Martinez said. “So what they provide are individual counseling and immediate support, consultation services for faculty and staff, psychiatry and also some self-help resources that really complement what we’re already doing. But we hope will expand access to an even greater amount of students, especially those who might not have traditionally come in for services to the counseling.”

TimelyCare provides  these services: 

• “TalkNow” on-demand appointments 24/7
• Nine Scheduled Counseling visits
• Health Coaching
• Psychiatry Appointments 
• Self-Care Content
• Basic Needs Support and Resources

These services will be available every day at any time. Martinez said this service will be beneficial because students can receive care around their busy schedules. 

“I’d say the biggest change, or the only, really, changes happening there is that students are actually going to have a wider variety of scheduling plans available for them,” Martinez said.  “And so one of the benefits of this partnership is that students are going to be able to schedule appointments outside of regular business hours.” 

Students will benefit from convenient 24/7 care, reduced wait times, a diverse provider network and peace of mind, according to a TXST press release. 

“I think the TimelyCare mental health service is a great opportunity for students to get their mental health needs supported through the University,” said TXST senior Johnny Dao. “It’s so convenient because the service is accessible 24/7 and through each student’s mobile device. Also, the usage  amount is way more than what we have had access to in previous years!”

Faculty and staff will also have access to a 24/7 consulting line which will help them support their students in getting the mental health services that they need. Faculty and Staff Support can be accessed by calling 833-4-TIMELY or 833.484.6359.

TimelyCare is accessible through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store by the TXST community as a free service. The service alone serves 1.5 million students at more than 250 colleges and universities nationally. 

Martinez said this service helps with early intervention and for students to be aware of these resources for themselves and their loved ones. 

“I just hope students take advantage of this service and not just wait for a crisis to happen,” Martinez said. “But if there are changes they want to make in their life, to maybe enhance how they’re doing, their relationship or in the classroom, they really take advantage of this opportunity to engage in like exploration or learn new ways to handle or manage situations. And to do so early and often versus waiting for problems to grow really big or when they can’t function well.”

For more information, visit the TXST TimelyCare Mental Health Services site. 

Featured Image by Preethi Mangadu.