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For 161 years, Saint Mary’s has been committed to educating and supporting the whole person. Today, the College provides the community with a wide range of resources—from the Student Health Center to the Intercultural Center, Campus Safety to Campus Recreation—all designed to help Gaels thrive beyond the classroom.

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Beginning this fall, Saint Mary’s will offer students expanded access to mental health and medical care through a new partnership with TimelyCare, a leading provider of virtual health and well-being resources in higher education. Founded in 2017, TimelyCare has partnered with Stanford University, the University of Texas, and hundreds of other institutions. It now serves more than 2 million students, educators, and staff nationwide. 

With TimelyCare, Saint Mary’s is deepening its commitment to round-the-clock care—and at no extra cost to students. “It means having  access to mental health services, medical services, peer support, 24/7, 365 days a year,” says Megan Gallagher, director of the CARE Center and Wellness Initiatives. 

Through the TimelyCare app, students will have immediate access to on-demand and appointment-based medical and mental health support. They’ll also have the opportunity to take part in up to 12 counseling sessions each academic year and access to a nationwide network of peer support. The app offers a wealth of digital self-care content, including yoga classes, meditation training, sleep tips, and more. 

 “TimelyCare really touches on all aspects of wellness,” Gallagher says. “It’s an excellent complement to our Monday through Friday on-campus resources.”

Multi-Dimensional Wellness

Gallagher sees TimelyCare’s 24/7 support as an essential tool in helping Gaels become, as she dubs it, “WellGaels.” 

“Being a ‘WellGael’ means seeking out the support to thrive in all dimensions of wellness: social, emotional, physical, spiritual, career, environmental, financial, and intellectual,” she explains.

Plenty of Saint Mary’s existing services are already helping students do just that. A few of the resources the College offers:

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides every student access to confidential therapy, and the Student Health Center, which offers patient-centered urgent care for all students
• Campus Safety and the Gael Safe app, which help students stay informed and secure both on and off campus
• The CARE Center, which provides confidential, compassionate support for interpersonal violence and relationship education
• The Intercultural Center, which strives to cultivate a diverse, inclusive community through year-round events and services, and the Center for Women and Gender Equity, which creates space for Gaels to learn about and engage with issues of gender, identity, intersectionality, and inclusion
• The Office of DEI, which works with campus partners to promote a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion
• The Essential Needs Program, which addresses students’ core needs related to housing, food, financial, and healthcare security and access
• Campus Recreation, which provides programs and services that foster positive physical and mental health

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Gallagher also points to other spaces and events around campus that support wellness. The GaelPantry, for example, provides food security for undergraduate and graduate students. Green spaces like the Legacy Garden and the Redwood Grove can deliver respite amidst the flurry of activities during the academic year. And starting Wednesday, August 28, Campus Recreation will offer YogaWELL with Mel, a weekly yoga class hosted by the Alioto Recreation Center.

Ultimately, TimelyCare will bolster Saint Mary’s ability to support students’ comprehensive well-being. Still, Gallagher says, “I would encourage our students to seek out our on-campus, in-person wellness opportunities first.”

“There are many things that can get in the way of a student pursuing their wellness,” she acknowledges. “But there is always support available.”