More ACC students now have another way to access mental health support beyond regular campus hours. TimelyCare, ACC’s virtual mental health counseling partner, is available to eligible students 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

First piloted to a select group last fall, the service gives our students more flexibility to connect with support around work, classes, family responsibilities, and other demands on their schedules. Faculty and staff can help by making students aware of the resource and encouraging them to register before they need it. 

TimelyCare features include: 

  • TalkNow: 24/7 live support from a mental health professional
  • Scheduled Counseling: Virtual counseling appointments with flexible scheduling, with up to six visits available per student
  • Support Modules: On-demand mental health and wellness resources
  • Video Library: Students can watch educational videos and learn strategies to use on their own time.

TimelyCare is available to Community Education, College Readiness, and adult credit students. Dual credit and other high school students are currently not eligible for the service. 

Encourage Students to Register Early

Students must register with their ACC student email address at timelycare.com/austincc. Registration can take up to 24 hours to fully process, so encourage students to sign up before they urgently need support. 

Mental health counseling needs often increase as the semester progresses, particularly as academic pressures build. TimelyCare is a great option for students who need flexible or after-hours support. 

Students enrolled in at least one spring course can continue accessing TimelyCare after the fall semester ends, making it a great option for support over winter break. 

To learn more about why ACC expanded TimelyCare and how the service can support students, we spoke with Julie Reck, Senior Director of Mental Health Counseling Services, about when students might use TimelyCare, why registering early matters, and how faculty and staff can help connect students with support. 

Q&A: What Students and Employees Should Know About TimelyCare

Why did Mental Health Counseling Services decide to expand TimelyCare to all students?
ACC is committed to supporting our students’ mental health and well-being. The expansion of TimelyCare offers another avenue for students to receive this support in a flexible format.

What need might TimelyCare help ACC address for students that our existing counseling services alone may not fully cover?
Existing counseling for students can be supplemented by TimelyCare with their TalkNow feature or their helpful education videos. Another option would be for a student to access TimelyCare if they have hit their session limit with ACC MHCS of 12 sessions in a 12-month period. 

How would you explain the difference between TalkNow and scheduled counseling to a student who isn’t sure which one to use?
TalkNow offers live, unscheduled, on-demand support for students who need help in the moment from a mental health professional. These can be brief conversations or just when support is needed. Scheduled counseling usually provides a 45-50 minute session(s) that can include a treatment plan and goals a student is working to achieve.

What would you say to a student who thinks their concern isn’t “serious enough” to seek help through TimelyCare or MHCS?
Everyone experiences challenges in their life, and it is helpful to have a non-judgmental space to talk through your current situation. Learning about coping skills and strategies and having an outside perspective can help us all grow.

Why is it important for a student to register their free TimelyCare account before they urgently need support?
It can take up to 24 hours for a student’s TimelyCare account to be fully accessible after they register, so registering early ensures that their account is ready when they need support.

What would you like ACC faculty and staff to know about encouraging students to use TimelyCare?
Help is available 24/7, so if you are teaching or working with a student in a class at night or on the weekends who needs immediate support or has a schedule that is busy or unpredictable, TimelyCare is a great option to promote to students.

TimelyCare complements ACC’s on-campus and virtual Mental Health Counseling Services by giving students another way to access support outside regular business hours. Visit austincc.edu/counseling to learn more about mental health counseling, wellness groups, events, and resources for students.