TELUS Health Student Support - 24/7 Support via Chat & Phone
Maybe it’s urgent and you need to speak with someone right away. Or, you’re just looking for one-off opportunity to talk and get some support. Or perhaps, you need help getting connected with counseling providers in your local area who can offer ongoing treatment. Whatever your need may be, wherever you are, we’ve got you covered.
Counseling Services has partnered with TELUS Health Student Support (formerly My SSP) to offer 24/7 support via chat and phone as well as counseling for students located around the country and the world. Counselors are masters-level clinicians with a minimum of five years of experience.
- Chat-based services are available in English, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Spanish, and French
- Counseling is available in up to 60 different languages.
Download the TELUS Health app for Android
Download the TELUS Health app for iOS
In addition to TELUS Health, Counseling Services provides short-term individual therapy and psychiatric treatment as well as skills groups and gathering spaces. Schedule your counseling appointments via the Student Health portal or by calling 212-305-3400.
Getting Started with TELUS Health Student Support
You may access TELUS Health Student Support in two ways:
- Download the TELUS Health app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store and use the chat or phone function.
- Call TELUS Health directly 877-297-1198.
When you first sign up for TELUS Health Student Support, you must provide the following information:
- The institution you are enrolled with (to ensure eligibility)
- Your first and last name
- Your preferred phone number and email
- Your date of birth (for identification purposes)
- A security question for your file (e.g. mother’s maiden name)
To better understand your questions or issue, you may have to provide additional information. Once you have provided all of the requested information, you’ll be able to connect with a TELUS Health Student Support provider.
TELUS Health FAQs
What is TELUS Health?
TELUS Health (formerly My SSP) is a third-party partner that provides:
What does it cost?
Access to TELUS Health is available for free to all eligible students.
How does it work?
Once you reach out, either via the app or telephone, you’ll be linked with a clinician at TELUS Health.
What can I use it for?
TELUS Health clinicians are available to assist you with the following:
- Speaking with someone right away if it’s urgent
- Having a one-time opportunity to talk and get some support
- Setting up short-term counseling
- Getting connected with providers in your community who can offer ongoing treatment
Can I access in-person, face-to-face counseling through TELUS Health?
No. TELUS Health offers telephone, video, and chat-based consultation and emotional counseling only.
What if it’s a crisis?
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room.
If you are experiencing urgent clinical concerns and need to speak with someone right away, take one of the following actions:
What if I need more specialized or long-term support?
If your concern is more specialized or requires longer-term treatment, TELUS Health may refer you to various community-based resources in your area that are better suited to support your needs. This includes face-to-face or virtual counseling and psychiatric treatment. These services would be covered by your health insurance plan or be considered out of pocket expenses.
Does TELUS Health provide psychiatric treatment?
No. TELUS Health can provide referrals to community-based psychiatric treatment or medication management providers. These may be covered by your health insurance plan or be considered out of pocket expenses. Be sure to check with your insurance or provider before any appointments. If you’re on the CUIMC Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan, there is no deductible for these services. Co-pays are typically $20 per session but are waived through December 31, 2020.
Can I use TELUS Health if I am in treatment with a mental health provider, either through Counseling Services or elsewhere in the community?
Yes. Any eligible CUIMC student may access TELUS Health, regardless of whether or not you may be in treatment elsewhere.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can access this support?
No. Over the course of an academic cycle, it is common for a student to reach out multiple times looking for support on a variety of issues.
Is it confidential?
Yes. All of your contact with TELUS Health are confidential. Except in instances where there is concern regarding immediate safety, you must provide your consent for anything you say to be shared.
How is TELUS Health connected with CUIMC Counseling Services?
TELUS Health is a third-party partner of our Counseling Services program. If you provide consent, your contact with TELUS Health will be shared with Counseling Services. Any information shared with Counseling Services remains confidential and cannot be shared without your consent.
Counseling Services continues to provide short-term psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment as well as offering consultation and referral to ongoing treatment providers in the community and virtual groups and gathering spaces.
Schedule an initial telephone appointment through the Student Health portal.
Why do I have to create a user profile in the TELUS Health app?
Creating a profile helps you in two main ways:
- You can access services via the app much quicker once a confidential file has been created for you.
- The TELUS Health clinician will know how to get back in touch with you if your call or chat accidentally disconnects.