Cal State Weighs Options for After-Hours Mental Health Care

University system considers expanding virtual crisis support to address student needs outside regular business hours

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Cal State officials are exploring expanding their work with TimelyCare, a company that provides video and telephone mental health crisis support, to address the growing need for after-hours care among students. The move comes as the university system grapples with high rates of student mental health issues, including suicidal ideation. However, the plan is facing resistance from the union representing campus counselors, who argue that the work should be done in-house.

Why it matters

Providing adequate mental health support for students is a critical issue facing universities, as unaddressed mental health challenges can significantly impact student success and well-being. Cal State's efforts to expand after-hours care reflect the growing demand for these services, but the proposed solution of contracting with a third-party provider has raised concerns about the potential impact on union-represented counselor jobs.

The details

Cal State officials say students attended more than 5,400 walk-in or crisis appointments during regular business hours, placed at least 3,500 after-hours crisis calls, and were transported to hospitals 177 times in 2024-25. The university is now exploring a systemwide contract with TimelyCare, a company that provides video and telephone crisis support services. However, the California Faculty Association, which represents campus counselors, has argued that this would contract out work that could be done in-house, putting students' mental health 'in the hands of gig economy workers who have not been vetted by the CSU'.

  • In 2024-25, Cal State students attended more than 5,400 walk-in or crisis appointments during regular business hours.
  • In 2024-25, Cal State students placed at least 3,500 after-hours crisis calls.
  • In 2024-25, Cal State students were transported to hospitals 177 times.

The players

Jazmin Guajardo

A student at CSU Channel Islands who serves on the California State University Board of Trustees.

Dilcie D. Perez

A deputy vice chancellor at Cal State.

Carolyn O'Keefe

Cal State's systemwide director for student wellness and basic needs.

Loren Cannon

A philosophy lecturer at Cal Poly Humboldt who serves on the faculty association's board of directors.

Jason Conwell

A senior representation specialist with the California Faculty Association.

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What they’re saying

“As a peer mentor, I have directly seen these impacts of mental health on student success.”

— Jazmin Guajardo, Student at CSU Channel Islands

“Our mandate is clear. After-hours care is essential to a university's duty of care.”

— Dilcie D. Perez, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Cal State

“One of the reasons we like this approach is it kind of reduces some of those barriers to actually seeking support.”

— Carolyn O'Keefe, Systemwide Director for Student Wellness and Basic Needs, Cal State

“You can have all the premises about why our students need psychological counseling. But then saying, 'let's contract that to this other company based in Texas' — that's a complete non sequitur.”

— Loren Cannon, Philosophy Lecturer, Cal Poly Humboldt

“If they're spending so much money on after-hours care, then our position is that they should be hiring counselors to do that and pay them in-house.”

— Jason Conwell, Senior Representation Specialist, California Faculty Association

What’s next

Cal State officials will have to address concerns from the California Faculty Association, the union representing campus counselors, before moving forward with the plan to expand their contract with TimelyCare.

The takeaway

Cal State's efforts to address the growing mental health needs of its students, particularly after-hours, highlight the complex challenges universities face in providing adequate support. The proposed solution of contracting with a third-party provider has raised concerns about the potential impact on union-represented counselor jobs, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that addresses student needs while also respecting the role of campus mental health professionals.