When it comes to health and wellness, college students have a lot on their plate. Things like College coursework and personal relationships must be balanced alongside financial stability while simultaneously trying to upkeep mental and physical health. The TimelyCare app is a resource that aims to help maintain that balance by making access to mental health tools simple.
The TimelyCare app is a virtual toolbox and meeting place made to encourage self-care and wellbeing by exposing its users to information and resources that they may have had trouble locating otherwise. This fall semester at Utah Valley University, the Dean of Student’s Office has partnered with the TimelyCare app to promote mental health and wellness support for students; giving those in attendance at UVU access to things like counseling sessions, 24/7 community support, health coaching and lessons, along with other virtual content.
After downloading the app UVU Students can reach out to the Dean of Student’s Office, to gain access to the app through the UVU security group, by emailing deanofstudents@uvu.edu and providing pertinent information like their student ID. This same process can be done by visiting timelycare.com/uvu or timelycare.com. Though this may result in the user not directly connecting with the UVU security group.
The main feature of the app is the “Get Care” selection, which links the user to provider-care, as well as self-care units that can be used to elevate personal well-being. Though these virtual units issue helpful information in terms of topics like eating habits, sleep, depression, substance abuse, and full range of others. However, it is also specified within the app that, “This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.” The provider-care section is more crucial in this regard, as it is where users can go to connect with certain health care professionals like therapists. This is also where users gain access to an on-demand “TalkNow” feature which directly connects the user to emotional support outlets when they need someone to talk to at a moment’s notice.
The Community tab functions as a place for users to vent their concerns anonymously while still connecting with the UVU community. The TimelyCare app creates unique instances of security groups, meaning those who use the community features can have their thoughts and feelings known within the environment they are affected by, while simultaneously keeping their identity masked. While users can post in a general chat, creating a post gives options to select the area of health that their post pertains to. This makes it easier for members of the community to seek out and lend support to others who may be going through similar experiences.
The TimelyCare app is a free resource that UVU students are encouraged to make full use of. As midterms and finals come ever closer it is imperative that students look out for their mental well-being, even if only to vent in a community discussion post. Engaging with one’s thoughts and feelings is crucial for mental growth and as such, outlets like TimelyCare that can provide constructive means to express and learn about those thoughts and emotions, while being constantly accessible, become ever more important in a world of fast-paced business, technology, and healthcare.
