Employees find virtual wellness support with TimelyCare

If the start of the fall season feels hectic to you, you're not alone.

Many employees find times of increased busyness and an accelerated pace to be challenging. Hokie Wellness offers employees who seek support in navigating stressful times access to the TimelyCare app, a benefit available to all full-time faculty and staff as well as non-student wage employees.

TimelyCare is one of the most effective services Hokie Wellness offers to provide convenient wellness support to employees. Employees have access to virtual mental health care and health coaching available through TimelyCare at no cost. They have up to 12 scheduled counseling sessions per academic year through the service and can choose from a variety of expert medical professionals to fit their needs, such as counselors, psychologists, and health coaches.

For assistance in a crisis, TimelyCare’s TalkNow option allows users immediate access to an available healthcare provider for crisis support. The average wait time for a TalkNow visit is 5.8 minutes after requesting a session.

Wellness also extends to well-being topics such as dealing with conflict, time management, exercise, sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness. There is no limit to the number of health coaching sessions employees can use.  

Convenience makes a difference

What has made TimelyCare so appealing to both students and employees is its privacy, convenience, and reduced wait times to connect with a health professional. Users can meet with a provider on the phone or online and in the privacy of their own location.

Shannon Atkins, assistant director of editorial mangement for Student Affairs, found the ease of scheduling appointments particularly helpful when using TimelyCare.

"Scheduled counseling sessions were easy to book," said Atkins. "I was able to get a time within a few days of signing up, I got automatic reminders for my upcoming appointments, and the TimelyCare video chat platform was smooth and intuitive on my phone. I really appreciated being able to talk in the familiarity and comfort of my home and at a time convenient for me."

The ability to browse therapists and their specialties was also a positive aspect for Atkins.

"It was especially helpful in a stressful time to be able to easily browse dozens of available therapists and their approaches, areas of interest, and expertise," said Atkins. "When I'd looked for a therapist before using TimelyCare, I could find information about some providers online, but I had to find their info across several websites, and comparisons weren't as quick."

Atkins wasn't the only employee who appreciated the convenience. "TimelyCare made it very easy to schedule an appointment," said Martha Glass, assistant vice president for administration for student affairs. "I found a great provider and so far we’ve met twice on video. I appreciated how convenient it was so that I could fit a session into my busy schedule and not have to travel anywhere for it."

Feeling heard

Having a trained professional who can listen objectively can make the world of difference in gaining perspective.

“I was pleasantly surprised that [my provider] was such a good listener,” Glass said. “We had a nice connection from the get-go. Even after just a couple of sessions she offered sound advice that I could apply in my daily life. I’m looking forward to our next session.” 

Carlo Rivera, a mental health specialist with Hokie Wellness, reflected on the support he received in his TalkNow session, "Looking back, I just really needed someone to talk to, so that I could figure out how to navigate changes that were happening in my own life. The provider I met with listened to what I had to say and gave thoughtful responses that allowed me to step back and think about the situation more clearly. Oftentimes, when we're feeling overwhelmed or stressed, we might not know what we need, let alone what actions we need to take."

All full-time employees are encouraged to set up their accounts and health profiles on TimelyCare — even if you aren't looking to schedule a session immediately, being proactive in setting up an account can be helpful if you choose to seek support.

Data shows Hokies benefit from TimelyCare

Currently, TimelyCare has over 1,300 active registrations with over 2,000 visits reported across all registered users. Anonymous data from Hokie Wellness shows how TimelyCare has helped users so far:

• The average ratings for overall visit experience and individual provider are 4.9 and 4.99 out of 5, respectively.
• 73 percent of users self-reported an improvement in their mental health after having a scheduled counseling session. Keep in mind that counseling sessions are meant to be engaged in longer-term than just one session in order to receive maximum benefits from a therapeutic relationship.
• 94 percent of users reported an improvement in their mental health after using the TalkNow feature for immediate support.
• Following a visit, most users indicate satisfaction with their experience, noting a sense of relief or calm, renewed or sustained hope about the future, or increased confidence.
• 46.3 percent of visits are completed after business hours, demonstrating the need for the platform in accessing care when employees are available.

TimelyCare user data is reported in the aggregate, and Virginia Tech does not receive any raw data or identifiable employee information from TimelyCare, so users can be assured of their personal privacy when using the service.

Additional resources

Hokie Wellness serves Virginia Tech to foster a healthier community by providing prevention services, education, outreach, and resources to employees and students. Visit the calendar of events for the latest information on Hokie Wellness programs. If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact Hokie Wellness by email at hokiewellness@vt.edu. For more information, contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu or by calling 540-231-8878.