Heidelberg offering 24/7 telehealth services over winter break

To continue its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heidelberg University is offering free, immediate and unlimited access to medical and mental health counseling visits over the winter break. According to a release provided by the university, Heidelberg's Stoner Health and Counseling Center is partnering with TimelyMD, a telehealth company that specializes in higher education, to offer BergCare, providing health and mental health services over the next eight weeks while students are away from campus for the holiday break. To help provide this free, 24/7 healthcare service, Heidelberg received funding from the Ohio College Initiative Grant, through the CARES Act, to create and launch BergCare. John Sharp, associate director of counseling at Heidelberg said in the release, the pandemic has caused a startling rise in anxiety, depression and other mental health issues among 18- to 24-year-olds. Seventy-five percent of college students said in a recent survey that their mental health has worsened since the pandemic began, but less than half that percentage have tried telehealth services, the release states. "By utilizing TimelyMD, not only for mental health support but for medical services while our students are away from campus, we can provide a continuity of care that's needed especially during this time," Sharp said in the release. "On-demand care also will be extremely valuable to our students." According to information provided within the release, TimelyMD enhances campus resources by helping limit the spread of illness, reduce the stigma of mental health counseling and grant peace of mind to students and their families. In the survey, less than 30% of college students indicated that they have tried teletherapy as a coping strategy. TimelyMD breaks down barriers and increases access for students in need while they're off-campus for winter break "There are so many benefits to using this service, including its convenience, so I sincerely hope our students take advantage of it," he said in the release. "I believe they will." BergCare is to ensure that Heidelberg students don't fall through the cracks while they are at home with on-demand medical care, on-demand mental health counseling and appointment-based counseling programs specifically designed for college students. BergCare allows students to access their profiles on their phones or other devices. There will be a diverse range of medical providers and counselors available.