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College and university students face many challenges, including academic pressures and financial strains. However, one of the most pressing issues is the significant wait times for accessing mental healthcare. These delays profoundly affect students’ health, academic performance, and overall well-being.
The mental health crisis on campuses
According to the Healthy Minds survey, over 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem — a 50% increase since 2013. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are alarmingly common, with 44% of students reporting symptoms of depression, 37% experiencing anxiety, and 15% considering suicide.
Long wait times for mental health appointments worsened with the onset of COVID-19. Approximately 70% of mental health services experienced pandemic-related disruption in care provision, while patient demand increased substantially. Wait times for mental health appointments varied across populations from 3 to 18 months.
“Our counseling center models weren’t set up to have a variety of solutions,” said Chris Wise, Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellness at Virginia Tech. “We were set up to treat those severe mental health challenges. We were finding ourselves with long wait times. We were finding ourselves with long periods of time between appointments. We found ourselves not being able to meet the demand that our students wanted.”
Don't Keep Students Waiting to Access Care
The consequences of long wait times
Many college and university counseling centers are overwhelmed and need to hire enough staff to meet the growing demand. According to a recent study, 90% of counseling center directors reported an increase in students seeking services. This surge has led to waitlists stretching for several weeks, leaving students in distress without timely support.
“With increased demand that has grown pretty exponentially over the last several years, we just couldn’t keep pace,” said Brad Baca, President, Western Colorado University. “Students were having to wait for days to get in to see a counselor, and so it was imperative that we had to figure out other solutions.”
Without accessible mental health support, 64% of currently enrolled students considered stopping out of their program according to the Lumina Foundation. The consequences of delayed wait times:
Emotional stress
Long wait times exacerbate emotional stress, the primary reason students consider withdrawing from college.
Academic decline
Students under stress struggle to keep up with coursework, leading to falling behind academically.
Decreased motivation
Ongoing mental health issues without timely intervention can erode students’ motivation to continue their studies.
Higher dropout rates
The combination of stress, academic pressure, and lack of support can lead to students dropping out of college.
Limited faculty support
While faculty members can offer some support, they’re not equipped to provide the professional mental health care that students need.
Overall well-being
Prolonged wait times negatively impact students’ overall well-being, affecting their ability to function effectively in daily life.
Professional mental health care available when and where students need it is essential.
“If a student needs help at 2:00 a.m., we need to make sure that they get that help at 2:00 a.m. and they’re not waiting until 8:00 a.m. when we open. ”
MarQuita Barker
VP of Student Development
Knox College
The broader impact of improved access to care
Improving access to healthcare through virtual care services like TimelyCare, which has an average wait time for scheduled counseling visits of just one or two days, has far-reaching implications. According to the most recent report from the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), the wait time for a first therapy appointment is between one and two weeks at most counseling centers, regardless of institution size. When students can quickly and easily access the care they need, they’re better equipped to manage their health and maintain their academic performance. This benefits individual students and enhances the overall campus environment. A healthier student body contributes to a more vibrant, productive, and supportive academic community.
Studies have found that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy, as one researcher told The New York Times. Even before the pandemic, researchers from the Milbank Memorial Fund, a nonprofit health foundation, concluded that telehealth can cost less than in-person visits and reach more people.
“What we’ve seen is that telehealth is essentially just as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy – and retention rates are higher,” said David Mohr, Director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies at Northwestern University.
Addressing healthcare access issues can also help alleviate the burden on overworked campus counseling centers and primary care facilities. Providing an alternative avenue for care, such as TimelyCare, can reduce the strain on these resources, allowing them to serve better those who need in-person support.
“We kept looking at what the cost would be not to invest in virtual care,” said Ellie Sturgis, Former Director of Cook Counseling Center, Virginia Tech. “The cost is longer wait -times for appointments, some students not getting served, which affects their mental health. It affects their academic progress. It affects their ability to progress toward a degree.”
A timely solution
TimelyCare provides students, faculty, and staff quick access to high-quality care without the need for insurance or copays. By leveraging technology, TimelyCare swiftly connects users with healthcare professionals, ensuring they receive the necessary support when needed.
Susan Nilles, NSM, RN, FNP, Faculty Coordinator of Student Health Services at El Camino College said, “More El Camino College students are being seen than what we could physically provide at this time without TimelyCare. And based on TimelyCare-provided satisfaction surveys, students are happy with the services.”
TimelyCare offers services, including mental health counseling, primary care consultations, and health coaching. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a student’s health are promptly addressed, reducing the likelihood of conditions worsening due to delays. By eliminating the financial barriers often associated with healthcare access, TimelyCare makes it easier for students to seek help without worrying about costs.
The health of your college campus directly impacts student success. When students’ mental health needs are met when and where they need it, they’re empowered to take control of their academic success. Explore how you can customize a health and well-being solution to reduce wait times for your students. Contact TimelyCare today.
“We educate low-income students and students who may not have insurance. By the university paying for not just mental health, but also medical, they don’t have to wait until they come back to school to access the service we have on the campus, because they can get it at their fingertips.”
Leroy Durant
VP of Student Development
Claflin University
The health of your college campus directly impacts student success. When students’ mental health needs are met when and where they need it, they’re empowered to take control of their academic success. Explore how you can customize a health and well-being solution to reduce wait times for your students. Contact TimelyCare today.
