photo by: Journal-World

The west side of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.

The free online mental health resource that Douglas County offers for its residents has been rebranded from myStrength to Teladoc Health, and will offer similar services but with some changes to the user experience, according to county and Teladoc Health staff.

Douglas County had been funding the myStrength service for county residents since 2019 using revenue from a quarter-cent behavioral health sales tax, at an annual cost of approximately $28,500, allowing them to access a variety of mental health services from myStrength at no cost. Like myStrength, Teladoc Health will cost nothing for county residents to use, and it will provide support for a variety of mental health concerns, including depression, stress, grief, sleep issues and relationship challenges. Users can set personal health goals, monitor their progress, and receive customized wellness plans with activities tailored to their individual needs.

“We are excited to continue offering free and unlimited access to a mental health resource for Douglas County residents,” Bob Tryanski, director of behavioral health projects for Douglas County, said in a release from Douglas County. “Teladoc Health’s mental health service gives community members the freedom to pursue personal wellness in a self-directed way.”

Maria Pia Caceres, client solutions manager at Teladoc Health, told the Journal-World via email that while the same services will be provided as with myStrength, there are improvements to the user experience with Teladoc Health. For example, residents can now access a sleep program in both web and mobile applications, where previously it was only accessible on the myStrength app.

Other improvements, Pia Caceres said, include an upgraded user interface for clinical assessment and access to an “engagement center” with news, health tips and clinical content.

According to a news release from Douglas County, existing myStrength users have received instructions for activating their new Teladoc Health accounts. Once on the platform, users will be guided through setting up an account and asked to complete a wellness assessment.

Teladoc Health will provide personalized recommendations based on an individual’s needs and goals. These may include lessons, videos, guided meditations and other activities covering a wide range of emotional and mental health topics.

Some of the entities in the county that currently use the platform with clients include LMH Health, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Heartland Community Health Center, Heartland RADAC, HeadQuarters Kansas, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, the Lawrence Community Shelter, the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and the Community Children’s Center.

To get started on Teladoc, people can download the Teladoc app from their app store or visit the Teladoc Health website at teladochealth.com. Use the access code “DouglasCounty” when prompted. People can also call 1-800-TELADOC (835-2362) for assistance.