McKendree University Prioritizes Mental Health with Expansion of Student Resources
Partnership with virtual care leader, TimelyCare, offers 24/7 equitable assistance to well-being resources
Lebanon, IL (10/04/2024) — Completing a degree in higher education is an incredible accomplishment that, in most cases, is not met without challenges - academically, socially and emotionally. While every student's collegiate journey is different, McKendree University is committed to providing a wide breadth of services that meets the needs of each and every student on campus.
As part of that commitment, McKendree has partnered with TimelyCare, higher education's most trusted virtual health and well-being provider, to offer students free and equitable access to mental health support and basic needs assistance, beginning Oct. 1, 2024. The partnership is an extension of counseling center resources, with a goal of improving student well-being, engagement and retention.
The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to a report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, 69 percent of students in bachelor's degree programs who considered dropping out cited emotional stress as their reason.
Through TimelyCare on their phone or other device, enrolled McKendree students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors in all 50 states - at no cost and without the barrier of traditional insurance - including on-demand mental health and emotional support through TalkNow, health coaching, basic needs assistance, care navigation, peer support community and digital self-care content.
Additionally, faculty and staff have access to support that empowers them to guide students to TimelyCare resources to help students achieve a sense of well-being, live healthier lifestyles and improve their mental health.
"TimelyCare shared that 53 percent of students utilizing their institution's platform never visited their counseling centers. After we launched the program, I asked my student workers to register with TimelyCare and to give me their thoughts. One student told me that she was excited about our new platform and that it will support our students who are hesitant to visit with Counseling Services. I believe that TimelyCare will enhance the work of our counseling staff and will reduce some stress for those students who are afraid to go to counseling," said Dr. Joni Bastian, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students at McKendree University.
The partnership with TimelyCare allows McKendree to deliver a hybrid model of care in collaboration with on-campus resources. Benefits to students include:
- Convenient 24/7 care - Physical and mental health issues often present themselves outside regular business hours, and TimelyCare makes seeking support or treatment as easy and convenient as making a video or phone call. Nationally, half of mental health care visits through TimelyCare occur after regular business hours or on weekends.
- Reduced wait times - Many campus counseling centers often have a two- or three-week-long wait time for appointments, whereas students can typically connect with a TimelyCare provider in less than five minutes.
- Diverse provider network - TimelyCare's diverse and culturally responsive provider network reflects and is proud to serve students who embody diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, religion and worldview, language, health, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and immigration status, and more.
- Peace of mind - TimelyCare is a safe, secure, URAC-accredited and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows campus-specific protocols to facilitate care coordination and follow-up to ensure continuity of care. Integrations with leading learning management systems ensure students have even more on-ramps to in-the-moment support whenever they need it.
"TimelyCare's TalkNow service is a crucial support system for college students, offering on-demand mental health assistance whenever they face stress, anxiety, or other life challenges. This platform provides immediate help during late hours, weekends, and even school breaks. By being available anytime, TalkNow can help reduce or eliminate waitlists at Counseling Services, ensuring that students get the support they need without delays," said Melissa McHenry, assistant director of Counseling Services at McKendree. "Additionally, TimelyCare connects students with community resources to address basic needs, which further supports their overall well-being. This service is essential in helping universities meet the growing demand for mental health support."
In observation of the upcoming midterms, McKendree and the Psychology Club hosted a Mental Health Fair at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on Oct. 2. During this time, the campus community was invited to learn about different coping strategies to assist with balancing their mental health, take advantage of free giveaways and have the chance to win raffle prizes. More than 20 booths were present at the events, which was put on by the university's Counseling Services, the Clinical Counseling graduate program, Residence Life, Student Success, The Reverend Dr. Beverly Wilkes-Null, and community agencies.
About TimelyCareTimelyCare is higher education's most trusted virtual health and well-being provider with a mission to foster student success and improve the health and well-being of campus communities. Founded in 2017, TimelyCare now serves more than 2.3 million students, educators and staff at more than 350 campuses nationwide. Its comprehensive suite of services, including mental health counseling, on-demand emotional support, medical care, psychiatric care, health coaching, student success coaching, basic needs assistance, faculty and staff guidance, peer support and self-guided wellness tools, expands the breadth of school resources and empowers students, educators, and staff to be well and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
For more information, please visit www.timelycare.com/mckendree or call 1-833-4-TIMELY.