Ginger
We value the passion and dedication you bring to work each day. For this reason, we want to provide you with the best solutions and support.
Your mental health matters.
UNC Charlotte, in conjunction with the UNC System, will soon be offering a new benefit to help support your mental health starting in October 2022.
Mental Health comes in all shapes and sizes, and that’s why we’re now offering Ginger so you can access care in a way that works for you—through texts, private video sessions with licensed clinicians and self-care activities.
What’s Ginger?
Ginger is an app that offers confidential, on-demand emotional and mental health support for your life challenges through coaching via text-based chats, self-care activities and video-based therapy and psychiatry—all from the privacy of your smartphone.
Coaches are available to chat 24/7, 365 days per year. Private video sessions with a therapist or psychiatrist are available outside of business hours on evenings and weekends.
Note: If you use Ginger Therapy and Psychiatry services, your sessions may be covered under the State Health Plan. Applicable deductibles and copays for an office visit will apply.
Your dependents ages 18 and older can use Ginger, too.
What's Ginger Coaching?
For those little annoyances that seem silly to stress about, for those being overwhelming feelings, for the big changes you want to make in your life, and for everything else, behavioral health coaches can help. Through text-based conversations, your coach helps you manage everyday stressors early, before they become bigger issues.
It’s like getting a regular tune-up for your car so you’re not left stranded with a failed engine. Your coach works with you to build skills to cope with challenges and will stick by your side to keep you on track. One of the best features of coaching is that it’s all done through text messages, so you can chat on your own time without worrying about anyone listening in. Coaches get you back to feeling like yourself so you can focus on what matters to you most.
Ginger coaches have a graduate degree in psychology or a related field and/or a coaching certification.
What's Ginger Therapy and Psychiatry?
When you need extra support for more in-depth issues, your coach may suggest you work with a therapist, who will become part of your care team. You'll meet with your therapist on video during regularly scheduled sessions. Note: If you use Ginger Therapy and Psychiatry services, your sessions may be covered under the State Health Plan. Applicable deductibles and copays for an office visit will apply.
Ginger therapists are state-licensed healthcare professionals trained in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and have either a master's or doctoral degree.
Who is eligible?
Permanent UNC Charlotte employees and their dependents aged 18 and older are eligible for Ginger and have access to coaching via text-based chats and self-care activities. You do not need to be enrolled in the State Health Plan to use Ginger. However, if you are enrolled and need to use Ginger Therapy and Psychiatry services, a representative from Ginger can help connect you with a provider in the State Health Plan’s network.
Eligible employees received several emails directly from Ginger about how Ginger works and how to access this benefit. If employees encounter any problems, Ginger's member support specialists are standing by to answer their questions at help@ginger.io.
How do I get started?
- Download Ginger from your smartphone's app store.
- In the app, tap "Create Account, then "My Organization" OR "Enter an access code" and enter the access code provided to you in an email from Ginger.
- Follow the instructions. You're all set!
Adult dependents can sign up for Ginger. Dependents age 18+ get access to Ginger from their own, separate accounts.
- Download the Ginger Emotional Support app.
- In the app, tap "Create Account," then "Sign up as a dependent."
- Tap "Adult Dependent" and enter the primary member's information.
- Follow the rest of the instructions to complete sign-up.
Messages
UNC System Message: New Mental Health Benefit Coming Soon
UNC System Message: Accessing Emotional and Mental Health Support through Ginger
UNC System Message: Have You Used Ginger Yet?
UNC System Message: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Resources from Ginger
Ginger Brochure
Ginger Frequently Asked Questions
Ginger May Mental Health Awareness Month Calendar