Taking care of your well-being is important—especially during times of stress, emotional challenges, or when you feel overwhelmed. With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s a good time to focus on self-care and meaningful connections.

To support students’ mental health, Redbird Well has partnered with Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality to host the We ISU event on Thursday, February 13, from 5-7 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. This Valentine’s Day-themed event aims to blend fun and education by offering students ways to stay healthy—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Students can participate in heart-related activities such as Valentine’s card making, conversation heart stuff-a-plush, a heart health station, snacks, a photo booth, and heart painting (while supplies last). The event will explore different forms of love including self-love, romantic love, and platonic love, by promoting relaxation, joy, and connection, according to the Student Affairs organizing team.

A highlight of the event is the TimelyCare booth, where students can learn about Illinois State’s new 24/7/365 virtual health platform offering mental health and well-being services. Launched in November, TimelyCare provides on-demand access to professional mental health support anytime, day or night.

Dawn Pote, executive director of Well-being and Recreation, was instrumental in bringing TimelyCare to campus.

“We started looking for a platform about a year ago to expand our mental health services,” Pote said. “Student Counseling Services is already an incredible on-campus resource, but we wanted to ensure students had access to support beyond regular business hours. TimelyCare enhances accessibility to vital support, and since its launch, about half of the sessions have occurred outside of traditional office hours—showing just how valuable this resource is.”

One of TimelyCare’s standout features is TalkNow, an on-demand support service for non-crisis concerns such as stress, anxiety, and academic pressures. By downloading the TimelyCare app or visiting Counseling.IllinoisState.edu/Services/Timely-Care, students can quickly connect with a mental health professional.

“Say it’s early Sunday morning and you’re struggling—TimelyCare gives you immediate access to someone who can help,” Pote said. “You can select a category, such as relationship issues, and within minutes, you’ll be connected to a provider.”

TimelyCare also allows students to customize their search based on personal preferences. Whether looking for a provider who is an African American woman, someone who speaks another language, or a professional specializing in LGBTQ+ support, the platform offers tailored options.

“Sometimes people seek out providers with shared experiences,” Pote said. “TimelyCare’s diverse network of professionals is trained to work with college students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.”

Pote said ratings that have come back from students who have used TimelyCare are positive and similar to those the Student Counseling Center gets.

“We are seeing improved mental health, and we know that based on these ratings,” she said. “The ratings are significant, so we know our students are getting good outcomes.”

For Pote, ensuring students have access to support is more than just a job—it’s a passion.

“At a recent event, I was discussing Redbird Well and TimelyCare when a student said, ‘Thank you so much for doing this. I broke up with my girlfriend on Saturday night and didn’t know who to talk to.’ That’s exactly why we need resources like this.”

Students interested in supporting their well-being are encouraged to attend the We ISU event on February 13.