(FORT WORTH, Texas) — As an echo pandemic intensifies mental health issues for college students, TimelyCare (formerly TimelyMD) and EVERFI are teaming up to help higher education leaders address an ongoing and unrelenting student mental health crisis.

Today the nation’s leading telehealth provider specializing in higher education and the foremost social impact education innovator announced a strategic partnership that enhances and combines resources to improve the mental health and well-being of millions of students. By connecting EVERFI’s industry-leading safety, health, and mental wellness courses with TimelyCare’s 24/7 student health portal, institutions that adopt both companies’ platforms can now provide students with a continuum of care unique to this strategic partnership.

Institutions will be able to integrate TimelyCare’s teletherapy platform directly into EVERFI’s technology-based education to meet students wherever they are in their mental health journey. For example, each year thousands of students across the country take EVERFI’s Mental Well-being for Students course, which equips undergraduates with essential skills and information to navigate the stressors and emotional challenges associated with college life. Students will soon be able to receive in-the-moment mental health support from TimelyCare providers while taking the course, whether they are experiencing trauma, feel triggered, or simply want to talk through an issue.

“EVERFI has long been committed to providing online programs that empower students with the knowledge and skills to stay safe and healthy on campus,” said Rob Buelow, EVERFI’s senior vice president of Higher Education and Impact. “Now, with TimelyCare integrated in our programs, students can turn their awareness into action by receiving real-time support if they’re experiencing mental health challenges. Together, we’re providing colleges and universities with the tools they need to ensure students can thrive on campus, and beyond.”

“Our mission at TimelyCare is to improve the well-being of college students by making virtual care accessible anytime, anywhere,” said Luke Hejl, CEO and co-founder of TimelyCare. “Providing students with as many on-ramps to access mental health support is in everyone’s best interest. EVERFI and TimelyCare’s strategic partnership enables higher education to deliver a complete health and well-being continuum for students.”

While colleges and universities have gone to great lengths to support the elevated mental health needs of their students, they also continue to face challenges. Four out of five college students recently reported experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety one year into the COVID-19 pandemic and prior research has found that mental health challenges can lead to low GPAs, decreased retention and engagement, and disruptions in academic progress. In a March 2021 survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed, student mental health was the top priority for college presidents, with 96% expressing concern.

However, many institutions face staffing shortages due to budget cuts and increased demand, and student access to preventative resources and counseling services may be less accessible in the virtual learning environment. As a result, some are making difficult decisions between proactively investing in mental health education for all community members or providing clinical resources for students most in need of support, despite both approaches being critical for student well-being and success. With EVERFI and TimelyCare working together, the choice is no longer either/or, it’s both/and.

For example, in addition to Student Health Services and the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, The Claremont Colleges – a consortium of seven highly regarded independent institutions in Southern California – offer myriad resources to meet students wherever they are and however they are feeling, including prevention programming through EVERFI and on-demand support through TimelyCare.

“Our campus leaders made improved access to mental health resources an urgent priority even before the global pandemic and a series of other crises turned our world upside down. Our students, most of whom have studied remotely for the past year, have navigated many issues, including disruption, trauma, stress, anxiety, and isolation. We are excited about their reconnecting and reengaging, but we know that re-entry may bring new challenges and increased demand for accommodation and support,” said Janet Smith Dickerson, vice president for student affairs for The Claremont Colleges Services. “We value partners like TimelyCare and EVERFI who have supplemented and expanded the health and wellness options we are able to provide.”

For additional information about the partnership, please visit https://timelycare.com/everfi and https://everfi.com/colleges-universities/timely-md/.