By Alayna Simons
Assistant News Editor
The Timely Care app is an easy-access, mental health and medical help service app new to campus. Provided to Trevecca students, it is free of charge for the first 12 counseling sessions, and medical care is accessible 24/7.
The app can treat a wide range of common conditions: physical conditions like the cold and other illnesses, mental health conditions like stress and anxiety, and nutrition and overall health.
The app also has the option of providing help and guidance from a health coach specializing in whatever area students are struggling in.
“As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, it is a phenomenal program to have. It’s all at the tap of your phone,” said Taneisha Stephens, an intern at the counseling center.
Stephens acknowledges the cost of regular clinical services for mental health outside of the university and can see that it can easily cost a fortune per session. Knowing that Trevecca cares enough to provide Timely Care as a service for free to students, she always tries to recommend it, including the interns on campus.
“The counseling center already offers eight free sessions. So, if my client can’t get to me, or they don’t want to pay after those eight sessions, they still have those 12 free sessions with Timely Care,” said Stephens, “and when you really think about it, you have a total of 20 free sessions.”
When the campus counseling center is not available, Timely Care is. The app is there to connect students to resources and provide guidance from medical professionals until they are able to meet in person at the counseling center or get in contact with a doctor.
“If you experience a loss or a breakup, an anxiety episode even, we may not be available to talk in those emergency moments. That’s what this is for: to be available to you when we may not be,” said Stephens.
Sophia Hickman, freshman, found out about Timely Care at her residential hall meeting at the beginning of the semester.
“I do go to scheduled counseling, but sometimes I have moments where my next session is in a week, but I need help now, so I use the app,” said Hickman.
Hickman, who struggles with chronic illness and has battled depression, has experienced and continues to stress the need for immediate help.
“It gives me a sense of comfort in unexpected situations,” said Hickman,” One time while on campus, I needed help right away and I was able to call and talk with someone at 3 a.m. when I needed it.”
Stephens recommends that even if students do not think they need counseling services right now, they should at least have the app downloaded.
“Being on campus, you’re a young adult. You may not want your parents to know of the medical help you are receiving, such as starting birth control or just the fact that you visited the counseling center,” said Stephens. “This provides that confidentiality and that freedom.”
Students can either download the app on their phone or go to the website TimelyCare.com/Trevecca on their computer to access the service.
