New TimelyCare platform supports student health and well-being 

TimelyCare offers LR students free 24/7 access to medical and mental health support and well-being resources. 

Lenoir-Rhyne University has partnered with TimelyMD, the leading virtual health and well-being solution in higher education, to offer students free and equitable access to medical and mental health support through the TimelyCare platform. TimelyCare services are available through https://timelycare.com/lr to students at all Lenoir-Rhyne campus locations in Hickory, Asheville and Columbia, S.C.

TimelyCare serves as a 24/7 virtual extension of campus health and counseling center resources, with a goal of improving student well-being, engagement and retention. TimelyCare  complements the services available from Cornerstone Health and Wellness Center on the HIckory campus. 

Through TimelyCare on their phone or other device, Lenoir-Rhyne students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed physicians and counselors in all 50 states — at no cost and without the hassle of traditional insurance — including:

• On-demand and appointment-based medical care
• On-demand mental health and emotional support (TalkNow)
• Appointment-based mental health counseling
• Psychiatric support
• Health coaching

"There is no greater priority than the health and safety of our students. TimelyCare’s ease of use, convenience and immediacy make it easier than ever for Lenoir-Rhyne students to get on-demand support," said Katie Fisher, dean of students. "TimelyCare enhances campus resources by making care more readily available to students when they need it, limiting the spread of illness, reducing the stigma of mental health issues and granting peace of mind to students and their families."

TimelyCare also provides a library of digital self-care content and a peer support community to help students be well and thrive, whenever and wherever they may be. 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. 

The partnership with TimelyMD allows Lenoir-Rhyne 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, about 40% 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 to three week wait time for appointments, whereas students can typically connect with a TimelyMD provider in less than five minutes.
• Diverse provider network – In addition to being from diverse backgrounds, TimelyMD providers are trained to be culturally competent. For example, more than 60 percent of mental health providers identify as BIPOC. The platform also offers professionals who identify as LGBTQIA+, speak multiple languages and/or have various religious and spiritual beliefs. Students can choose to meet with a specific provider or select the first available.
• 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.

"As we continue to live in this post-pandemic world, mental health needs are increasing for people of all ages," said Rev. Todd Cutter, interim director of Cornerstone Support and Wellness Center. "Our goal at Lenoir-Rhyne is to provide as many options as possible so that students can receive the care and counseling they need. TimelyCare allows us to broaden our net, provide innovative options for our community and reach more people who are ready to begin counseling."

The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to the American Council on Education, student mental health is the top concern of college and university presidents. It’s also the number one reason students leave college. A recent report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation found that three out of four students in bachelor’s degrees programs who considered stopping out cited emotional stress as their reason.

Some 60 percent of all students who have sought mental health support through TimelyCare said they would have done nothing if the service were not available. Founded in 2017, TimelyMD is trusted to serve more than 1.5 million students at nearly 250 campuses nationwide.

"Meeting the need for equitable, on-demand access to care is a critical challenge that extends beyond campus boundaries. TimelyCare allows colleges and universities like Lenoir-Rhyne University to solve problems rather than just treat symptoms," said Luke Hejl, TimelyMD CEO and co-founder. "Our mission at TimelyMD is to improve the health and well-being of college students by making virtual care accessible anytime, anywhere. Through TimelyCare, we are proud to deliver best-in-class health and well-being solutions to help students thrive."