UT Permian Basin Announces 24/7 Virtual Health Care

(TNS) — This fall, UT Permian Basin students have a new option for accessing mental health care. TimelyCare, a Texas-based provider of virtual health and well-being resources in higher education, will be just a click away on students' phones and devices through a free app.

The TimelyCare app provides students with access to 24/7 virtual health and well-being support. Services offered through the new program include:

• On-demand mental health and emotional support
• Scheduled mental health counseling sessions
• Psychiatry services
• Health coaching
• Care navigation
• Peer support community
• Digital self-care content

Wellness and well-being are intrinsically linked to a student's academic and personal success, and TimelyCare provides an easy and convenient option for all UTPB students to access self-care resources, a news release said.

"UTPB is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our students and providing support services to help students overcome barriers to their success," JC Ausmus, Assistant Dean of Student Wellness and Assistant Professor of Psychology, said in the release. "TimelyCare will increase access to counseling services, especially those who need appointments during the evening and weekend hours."

TimelyCare is available to students through the University Mental Health Center (UMHC), an integrated area within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. UMHC integrates health promotion, counseling and psychological services, student emergency services, the collegiate recovery program, and other programs to provide a comprehensive approach to student wellbeing.

In June, the University of Texas System Board of Regents announced the expansion of its investment in student mental health services with the launch of its partnership with TimelyCare to offer free, virtual mental health support to students at all 14 UT institutions, including UTPB.

"We know that students' mental health is tied to their academic achievement and that the demand for access to mental health services for UT students has never been greater," said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. "The Board of Regents has consistently and proactively addressed this need. We are proud that this latest investment will make mental health resources more readily available and easier to access for UT students."

©2023 the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.