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As T-Mobile amps up its industry-leading phone scam protections this summer, we offer ways you can use your mobile device to avoid the most common summer pitfalls that scam you out of the best season!

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Ahhh, summertime! You’ve got old school <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr0tTbTbmVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff</a> blasting in the background, the top down on your car, with nothing but a cold brew coffee in hand and plans to lounge on the beach all day.

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Or wait … is that cinematic summer scene all a scam? The humidity, the mosquitos, that sunburn!

Let’s face it, things can go sideways in the summer, but one thing that shouldn’t be scaring you this season is scam calls. Unfortunately, scam calls are <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/stir-shaken-all-networks" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/stir-shaken-all-networks">returning to pre-pandemic levels</a>. In fact, in a recent study, T-Mobile found that more than one out of five consumers would rather be confronted with an empty toilet paper roll than get a scam call! And as for those robocalls, when asked to rank a list of grievances, the most common answer to be ranked the absolute worst by customers, was just that. In fact, 30 percent of consumers would rather get caught in the rain without an umbrella than get a robocall — and you know how intense summertime showers can be!

Yep. Scam calls are, literally, the worst.

It’s for this reason that last summer T-Mobile launched <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/t-mobile-scam-shield-app" data-type="URL">Scam Shield</a>, a comprehensive and state-of-the-art set of tools to protect customers against scams and unwanted robocalls. With Scam Shield, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers get automatic and free scam call warnings, the ability to block scam calls completely with Scam Block, and free Caller ID.

T-Mobile’s Scam Shield Premium even lets you block robocalls by type. Don’t want to hear from telemarketers or political surveys ever again … but do want charitable donations to get through? Just swipe in the Scam Shield app to adjust your settings. Or set all the categories to voicemail only and relax!

In an effort to continue to work together for the greater good of a spectacular summer, here are some tips on how to use your device and enjoy the many benefits of T-Mobile’s <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans">Magenta and Magenta MAX plans</a> to make the most of season and skip the pitfalls. Just like our commitment to warding off scammers, we are here to show you how to use your device to repel pests, protect yourself from getting burned (in all the ways) and avoid the threat of returning crowds. All that sweat — eek!

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Nothing like enjoying a sunset meal in the warm breeze … until you become the main entree for the bugs that have joined your dinner party! Good thing there’s an app to fix that. Yes, there are actually apps that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRhyCjJ7IMk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can repel mosquitos</a>. Like <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anti-mosquito-repellent-sound/id1242188677">one from Reticode</a> that emits low-frequency sounds to ward off those flying monsters as well as offer helpful tips and tricks to avoid becoming their dinner. Annoying the bugs before they can bother you? Now that’s thinking ahead.

Now that major amusement parks like <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-04-13/disneyland-california-theme-parks-reopening" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-04-13/disneyland-california-theme-parks-reopening" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disneyland are reopened</a>, you’ll want to try to avoid those awful crowds and long lines again. Many theme parks have <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article243649457.html">their own app</a> that can help you also plan ahead and <a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2021/04/22/apps-help-theme-parks-boost-their-covid-safety-and-collect-data-on-you/stories/202104220096" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avoid peak hours</a> when the largest crowds are expected. Many Disney theme park goers recommend the <a href="https://touringplans.com/disney-world-app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lines app</a>, which offers a subscription service where visitors can check the actual wait times of popular attractions, using real-time data to plan the best time to queue up.

This applies to beaches as well. People have quite literally been itching to hit the beach and fix the quarantine yellowing we’ve all developed. If you want to avoid traveling in the heat to a coastline that’s overrun by crowds, there’s often an app or website to help you track its capacity. In Tampa Bay, for instance, <a href="https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/online-tool-beach-parking-crowds-pinellas-county-sheriff/67-8c24de95-8665-4e4f-99a8-97e1e19aa2fe" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/online-tool-beach-parking-crowds-pinellas-county-sheriff/67-8c24de95-8665-4e4f-99a8-97e1e19aa2fe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ensuring you’ll have a spot</a> for your beach chair is as simple as checking their county <a href="https://pcsoweb.com/beachcapacity" data-type="URL" data-id="https://pcsoweb.com/beachcapacity">site,</a> and many experts suggest checking the specific county Twitter handles for updates on your preferred beach. And Tripadvisor <a href="https://www.audacy.com/news/new-app-helps-you-social-distance-and-avoid-crowds" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.audacy.com/news/new-app-helps-you-social-distance-and-avoid-crowds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">has aggregated crowd data</a> on <a href="https://www.crowdfree.me/about" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.crowdfree.me/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crowdfree</a>, a platform originally meant to help people social distance when visiting places like beaches and parks, and continues to help emphasize when locations are less crowded.

And remember, T-Mobile <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans">Magenta MAX</a> plans also come with the perfect solo activity built right in — <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/netflix-on-us" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/netflix-on-us">Netflix on Us</a>! So skip the crowds altogether and contentedly settle into season 2 of <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80986854" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.netflix.com/title/80986854" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson</a>. Have a laugh, and the last word on crowds!

Speaking of the beach, when was the last time your skin felt the warmth of the sun for more than a quick grocery store run? You’ve probably spent a lot more time indoors this past year and change, and you need to be wary of harmful UV rays that can lead to all kinds of problems like cataracts, premature skin aging, sunburn and skin cancer, which is the <a href="http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer/exec-summary.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most commonly diagnosed cancer</a> in the United States. When you plan your fun in the sun, be sure to check out the <a href="https://dailyburn.com/life/tech/sun-safety-apps-for-uv-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UV index sun safety apps</a> like the Wolfram Sun Exposure Reference App, which predicts how long it would take for you to burn based on your skin type and the SPF you’re wearing in a specific location, and can even help you plan five days ahead, for when the sun’s rays are less dangerous.

Things have changed a lot because of the pandemic, and that includes the service on your local public transportation. Yes, you know <a href="https://www.google.com/maps" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.google.com/maps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Maps</a> offers navigation but it can even be helpful when searching for any seasonal changes to the buses and trains. Tap on a train or subway station, for example, in the app and you will see information about service modifications because of Covid and be able to check out how busy that particular station is at different times. <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-store/id469463298" data-type="URL" data-id="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-store/id469463298" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Citymapper</a> also has updated times, maps and advisories for transportation in major cities.

And if you’re just wandering around one lazy summer afternoon and want to see what’s quick and easy, <a href="https://roadtrippers.com/about/road-trip-apps/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://roadtrippers.com/about/road-trip-apps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roadtrippers</a> uses your location to show you beaches, parks, lakes, nature preserves, farms, botanical gardens, public art, monuments, vacation photo-ops, camping and R.V. spots. You can easily search for attractions near you, or along a route you set, and even filter for the types of places you want to see, like specific outdoor activities and destinations.

We already did the research to help you <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/summer-travel-takes-off">plan that summer trip</a> you put off during the pandemic using your mobile device. We also realize you might have forgotten what it’s like to pack properly for a weekend of fun in the sun. Don’t head out for that super cool tubing adventure only to realize you are about to float on the lazy river without some essentials (like river sandals … goodness, your poor feet!). Check out a number of apps to help you prepare for successful summer excursions with a <a href="https://thepointsguy.com/2018/01/how-to-pack-your-suitcase-apps/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://thepointsguy.com/2018/01/how-to-pack-your-suitcase-apps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">number of apps</a> like <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/packing-pro/id312266675" data-type="URL" data-id="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/packing-pro/id312266675" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Packing Pro</a> or <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/packr-travel-packing-checklist/id1208312901" data-type="URL" data-id="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/packr-travel-packing-checklist/id1208312901" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Packr</a>, which help you filter the specific needs to except from those traveling to specific destinations or activities.

And don’t forget, if you’re traveling by air, you get Gogo Wi-Fi your entire flight with T-Mobile’s <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans">Magenta MAX plans</a>!

Now, scams and sunburn avoided — phew! — <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/summer-travel-takes-off">here are other ways your phone</a> can help make summer travel a breeze!

Scam Block: Turning on calls may block calls you want; disable anytime. Gogo: Available on select flights of U.S. based airlines.

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As T-Mobile amps up its phone scam protections this summer, see how your mobile device help you avoid common pitfalls that scam you from summer fun

The Summer of Scam! (And How to Avoid It) | T-Mobile Newsroom

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The Summer of Scam! (And How to Avoid It)

Shawna Ryan

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/how-to-avoid-summer-scams

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From Guadalupe, Calif. in the West all the way to Wareham, Mass. in the East, these 10 small towns make the finals in T-Mobile’s Hometown Techover: a community-wide tech upgrade valued at more than $3 million

BELLEVUE, Wash. — July 15, 2021 — It techs a village. This past April, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) unveiled a contest to win a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-unveils-hometown-techover-contest-2">T-Mobile Hometown Techover</a> — a $3 million tech makeover for an American small town, including a $200,000 grant, 5G network enhancements, a Little League® baseball field refurbishment, a free concert featuring multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line … and so much more. The chosen town will become the 5G model for communities across the U.S., showcasing the power of the country’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network — T-Mobile’s. Thousands entered, and 10 extraordinary communities representing the heart of small-town America were selected as finalists:

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“Right on the heels of celebrating America’s birthday, it’s time to celebrate the small towns at the very heart of our country,” said Jon Freier, Executive Vice President of Consumer Group at T-Mobile. “As the 5G leader, we’re committed to helping bridge the digital divide, and getting rural America as well-connected as Big City USA. This three-million-dollar Hometown Techover is just one example of how we’ll get to work … and it’s just the beginning.”

A panel of judges from T-Mobile and Smart Growth America will determine a winner based on project feasibility, the town’s need for a network upgrade, and town leadership interest and engagement. Later this summer, one of the 10 finalist towns will be crowned the T-Mobile Hometown Techover winner, but in typical T-Mobile style, the remaining nine finalists will not go home empty-handed. The finalists will each get a $50,000 grant to help jump-start or complete a project in their community, too!

The grand prize-winning town will score a mass of tech goods and services for the community-as-a-whole as well as individual households, worth more than $3 MILLION.  Among the goodness:

America’s 5G Leader The winning Techover town is going to be the 5G model for everyone else.  But even if you are not in the Techover winning town the Un-carrier’s 5G now covers 300 million people with Extended Range 5G! T-Mobile’s Ultra Capacity 5G is expanding at an incredible pace and now covers 150 million people across the country, with plans to cover 200 million people nationwide this year. Ultra Capacity 5G can deliver blazing fast 5G speeds in more places than anyone else, with average download speeds of 325 Mbps with peaks of 1 Gbps, while Extended Range 5G is great for blanketing the country including rural and remote areas. T-Mobile’s 5G network spans 1.6 million square miles — that’s nearly 2x more coverage than AT&T and 4x more than Verizon — and the Un-carrier keeps widening its lead.

#5GforAll T-Mobile Hometown Techoveris just one of the many initiatives underscoring T-Mobile’s commitment to rural America. The Un-carrier’s pledge includes free 5G phones with any working trade-in, amazing deals on plans, a new broadband option for 10 million rural households — T-Mobile Home Internet — and a commitment to build hundreds of new stores and create 7,500 new jobs supporting the wireless needs of communities across rural America. T-Mobile is also committing $25 million to small town grants during the next five years to help fund community development projects in rural areas across the country to help jumpstart stalled projects and get new ones off the ground. More than just bringing wireless, T-Mobile wants to be part of the community and help small towns thrive.

For more information about T-Mobile's commitment to small towns, visit <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/acrossamerica" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T-Mobile.com/AcrossAmerica</a>.

For full details of the T-Mobile Hometown Techover, <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-unveils-hometown-techover-contest-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">head here</a>.

Follow T-Mobile’s Official Twitter Newsroom <a href="https://www.twitter.com/tmobilenews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@TMobileNews</a> to stay up to date with the latest company news.

5G: capable device required. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com. Most Reliable: According to an audit report conducted by independent third party umlaut containing crowdsourced data for user experience collected from September 2020 until February 2021. Full details at: <a href="http://www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/USA">www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/USA</a>. Fastest: According to Opensignal Awards – <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2021/04/usa/mobile-network-experience-5g&data=04%7c01%7cHughes.Bertrand%40t-mobile.com%7cdcc86ccfd8ea406178a608d909940312%7cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7c0%7c0%7c637551353591770954%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c1000&sdata=MZmoGCzFHjC15I815F0zg02SGzEyGth7zbiYMPusjSc%3D&reserved=0">USA: 5G User Experience Report April 2021</a>, based on independent analysis of average speeds from mobile measurements recorded during the period December 15, 2020 – March 14, 2021 © 2021 Opensignal Limited.

About T-Mobile T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/">https://www.t-mobile.com</a>.

About Florida Georgia Line GRAMMY-nominated duo Florida Georgia Line have been making history since 2012. The global superstars are the first and only Country act to achieve two RIAA DIAMOND-certified singles with 11X PLATINUM, #1 breakout “Cruise” (the best-selling digital Country single of all time – SoundScan) and 10X PLATINUM, #1 “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha (holding the longest reign on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at 50 straight weeks). With their fifth studio album, LIFE ROLLS ON (BMLG Records), featuring #1 hit “Long Live,” FGL keeps proving themselves as in-demand collaborators and “one of the format’s premier musical shapeshifters” (Esquire), including recent releases “Lil Bit” (Nelly), “It’s About Time” (Russell Dickerson), plus “Drinkin' Beer. Talkin' God. Amen.” (Chase Rice). FGL’s tallied 18 career #1 singles, 13.2+ billion global streams, sold more than 40 million tracks and 4.7 million albums worldwide, logged 1.7 billion video views, and played to over 4 million fans spanning massive arena and stadium headline tours. Honored by ACM, AMA, Billboard, CMA, and CMT Music Awards, their creative empire also includes FGL House Party Radio with Florida Georgia Line on Apple Music Country, and thriving business initiatives: FGL House, meet + greet, Round Here Records, Tree Vibez Music, Tribe Kelley, Old Camp Whiskey, and Wolf Moon Bourbon (with Jason Aldean).

About Smart Growth America Smart Growth America envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize our vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsmartgrowthamerica.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7CJOBY.EISENBERG%40t-mobile.com%7C6ac1cbeec185484bde6a08d947aa63ca%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637619619746981087%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=0eZn30Lm6fxR4HesI2E8VmihZP%2FgeqBb%2FlZYNIIMvWs%3D&reserved=0">https://smartgrowthamerica.org/</a>.

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One of These 10 Small Towns is About to Win Big. Meet the T-Mobile Hometown Techover Finalists. | T-Mobile Newsroom

One of These 10 Small Towns is About to Win Big. Meet the T-Mobile Hometown Techover Finalists.

Oscar Meza

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Whether you’re tuning up your vehicle for the road trip you’ve been dreaming about or are ready to leave your home and see the world, here’s how your phone can help make summer travel a breeze.

After 15 long months of pandemic-related restrictions, the warm weather has brought a newly opened country — as well as a new era of summer travel. Over <a href="https://tripadvisor.mediaroom.com/2021-04-20-Travel-is-Heating-Up-Two-Thirds-of-Americans-Planning-Summer-Vacations#:~:text=Over%20two%2Dthirds%20of%20Americans,March%201%2D%20May%2031).&text=Although%20many%20still%20plan%20to,up%204%25%20from%20this%20spring." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-thirds of Americans</a> (67%) are planning to travel this summer, which is a 17% increase from those who traveled earlier this spring. Millennials seem to be the most excited, with 72% of the generation already planning trips according to Trip Advisor’s 2021 Summer Travel Index. Although many still plan to drive to their destination (43%), 19% plan to fly. The majority of Americans (74%) will take a domestic trip, while 13% will still travel internationally.

Road trippers are clearly eager to get out of the house and into nature, with millions of Americans <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/priceline-national-road-trip-day-survey-reveals-seven-in-10-americans-want-to-take-a-road-trip-this-summer-to-escape-their-quaranteam-301292685.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planning</a> to gas up their vehicles. But with such high demand — along with a move toward a “hybrid” work model — the great American road trip will look much different this year.

As for those digging out their passports and spending hours on their favorite flight search engine (and dusting off that handy <a href="https://www.ricksteves.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rick Steves</a> guide!), many vaccinated Americans <a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-travel-coronavirus-vaccine-health-83594cbef7ac77a7522210f990a6aeff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can now visit Europe</a> and other international destinations, even though travel abroad will also look very different this year.

Of course, this means the summer road trip and coveted international vacation is back! Which is great news, especially for T-Mobile customers.

So, from scoring hotel reservations and keeping track of local restrictions, to booking a last-minute table at a European hot spot, here are some tips for how your device can help you navigate the new normal — the next normal — of globetrotting or making the most of your domestic road trip this summer.

With COVID-19 restrictions and local safety guidelines varying widely by state, you’ll want the most up-to-date information relevant to where you’ll be traveling. For domestic trips, websites like the USA Today’s <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/storytelling/coronavirus-reopening-america-map/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID Map</a> and the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> provide easy access to real-time updates on COVID restrictions across the country.

Safety protocols also vary widely by country, and apps like <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://covidcontrols.co/traveller-entry" target="_blank">COVID Controls</a> offer easy access to real-time updates on COVID restrictions and entry requirements across the globe. The COVID Controls app even allows you to customize your trip, giving you information on your destination country’s current protocols based on your country of origin. A number of<a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/06/02/1025633/seven-eu-countries-just-got-a-digital-vaccine-passport/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> countries in the EU</a> have also adopted a digital vaccine passport ahead of an initiative to have all 27 member states join this summer, and uses a digital green certificate in the form of a QR code that can be stored on a device.

Check these out before you hit the road if you’re planning on crossing state lines or before you book that international flight.

Although restaurants across the country have opened their doors to the public, many are still running at low capacities in a number of states like New York and California. Additionally, a shortage of hospitality workers has caused restaurants to limit the number of customers they can serve each night. If you didn’t plan ahead for your domestic travel and book dining reservations in advance, apps like <a href="https://www.opentable.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Table</a> and <a href="https://resy.com/?date=2021-06-11&seats=2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Resy</a> can help you score a last-minute table after a long day on the road.

And although many countries in Europe have opened their doors to vaccinated American tourists, restaurants are still running at low capacities in a number of hot spots like Italy and Spain. Apps like <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.thefork.com/" target="_blank">The Fork</a> can help you score a last-minute table after a long day of wandering the streets of Rome or Barcelona if you forgot to do so in advance. And if you need to ask that foodie friend for a recommendation, don’t forget with T-Mobile’s <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/plans">Magenta and Magenta MAX plans</a> you get unlimited texting and data <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/roaming">while roaming</a> to over 200 countries internationally. Not to mention, if you do decide to hop on a flight and want to do a little last minute research on your destination while in the air, T-Mobile’s Magenta plans offer in-flight text messaging plus Wi-Fi on Gogo-enabled flights.

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<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-magenta-background-color has-text-color has-background no-border-radius" href="https://t-mo.co/3jvWkXm">Ready to Travel? Get Your Phone Plan!</a></div>

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So much of life on the road is about aimlessly wandering from place to place in search of your next adventure. It’s that game-time call to push on to a new city or pull into a charming little town you’ve never heard of for the night. And similarly, so much of international travel is about the spur of the moment decision to hop on a train or keep your alpine road trip going for a few more days. Need a place to stay at the drop of a hat? Apps like <a href="https://www.hoteltonight.com/?utm_campaign=google_desktop_us-english_brand_exact&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign_id=1495933104&utm_adgroup=95550526069&utm_targetid=kwd-2819026105&utm_feeditemid=&utm_creative=hotel%20tonight&utm_matchtype=e&utm_loc_physical_ms=9021321&utm_loc_interest_ms=&utm_adposition=&utm_ad_id=433168380655&utm_device=c&utm_network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8IaGBhCHARIsAGIRRYrMBAG0Tv2FO-2-jxUuFPCBfll2BBzNtZSHoZ9PkJO6_gS0ctjkCKcaAhCWEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel Tonight</a> offer deals on last-minute hotel bookings, helping you find a place to get some rest after an epic day of exploration.

Even better: Are you a T-Mobile customer? Great! Access the new <a href="https://hotels.tmobiletravel.com/th/home/en/">T-Mobile TRAVEL</a> to save up to 40% on select accommodations and car rentals.

For domestic travelers on road trips to a city this summer, it’s worth checking to see if the city has an attraction pass — usually a digital ticket that lets you bundle attractions to make the most out of your visit. For example, <a href="https://www.sightseeingpass.com/en/new-york?aid=14&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk4yGBhDQARIsACGfAes_gU-ExA8Qm-uiD0b2qOSESo3omkgrsC0XQIJ6DJdCWs70zrc0OAoaApTaEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New York Sightseeing Pass</a> offers ticket-free entry to more than 150 attractions around New York City. These passes can often save you time and money, and are a great way to catch all the can’t-miss sights cities have to offer. And don’t miss out on the savings with T-Mobile’s “Always On” offer for up to 30% off theme park admission with <a href="https://www.entertainmentbenefits.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EBG</a> that you can find in the T-Mobile Tuesdays app.

For those going abroad, no train trip through Europe is complete without a Eurail Pass. But how to keep track of all the different destinations and timetables to help you hop from country to country? The <a href="https://www.eurail.com/en/plan-your-trip/rail-planner-app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rail planner app</a> from Eurail will help you sort out your departure and arrival times, and plan the perfect route for an unforgettable vacation.

If you’re like many road trippers this summer in America, you’re likely planning a visit to one of our country’s storied National Parks. For the easiest way to plan your visit, make sure to download the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NPS app</a>. This app is your guide to more than 400 National Park System units, and offers interactive maps, tours of park places, accessibility information and much more to help make your trip to the great outdoors an unforgettable one.

While some are trying to master the terrain of America’s national parks, others will be trying to learn the foreign language they set out to master during lockdown before their international trip. No worries if you’re a little behind on your conjugations — apps like <a href="https://www.itranslate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iTranslate</a> offer instant translations on the go, so you won’t miss a beat when it’s your turn to order your morning pain au chocolat et café au lait at the boulangerie.

If your domestic road trip includes a little time in nature, your phone can make it easy to get out there and hike, bike or camp like a local. Apps like <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AllTrails</a> and <a href="https://www.trailforks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trailforks</a> can help you find the best trails for hiking and biking, with updates on trail conditions to aid you in picking the best spot to get out there. If you’re planning to camp this summer, the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recreation.gov app</a> has everything you need to discover and book campsites, no matter where your summer road trip takes you. And with T-Mobile, America’s fastest and most reliable 5G is now available at no extra cost to 300 million Americans to help when <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/ready-for-a-road-trip">you’re out on the road</a> with nothing but nature around! Happy trails!

For those traveling abroad, once you’ve made your way around the globe and are ready to return to the United States, the <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mobile Passport</a> app can make customs a breeze. After all, the last thing you want to do after a transatlantic flight is stand in an hours-long line. The app is only available for certain airports in the U.S., including most of the major points of entry for international flights. Just be sure to download the app ahead of landing, and enter your passport and trip information before you head to the customs area. Bon voyage!

Bags Packed? Check Out Phone Plans!

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With T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta MAX plans you get unlimited texting and data while roaming to over 200 countries internationally. Not to mention, if you do decide to hop on a flight and want to do a little last minute research on your destination while in the air, T-Mobile’s Magenta plans offer in-flight text messaging plus Wi-Fi on Gogo-enabled flights.

Summer Travel Takes Off | T-Mobile Newsroom

Summer Travel Takes Off

JasonAdams

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/summer-travel-takes-off

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Just over a year ago, the newly-merged T-Mobile set in motion our strategy to become a bigger — and better — company. As we drive the Un-carrier spirit forward, putting people first remains at our core. More than ever, customers, employees, and shareholders engage with and invest in brands that genuinely and authentically live their values – those that reflect and invest in their communities.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) isn’t a new concept for the Un-carrier, and following our merger with Sprint, we recognized an opportunity to evolve and expand our commitment to these values that have always been at our core. Further catalyzed by the societal unrest and injustice we witnessed last year, this was a turning point for T-Mobile to leverage its new resources to better serve all of our employees, customers and communities where we operate. We seized the moment and created a way forward that we call Equity In Action.

Equity In Action (EIA) is more than how we talk about our DE&I efforts – it is a practical plan. EIA offers a roadmap that inspires us to lead by example, put people first and ensure DE&I remains at the center of everything we do.

And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING: the values we live by, the investments we make in our employees, the products and services we offer, the suppliers we do business with and the communities we advocate for.

We knew that we had a lot of work ahead of us, and we wanted to make sure our plan incorporated direct, honest feedback from our employees. We hired an external diversity and inclusion consultant to conduct 13 focus groups with employees from different races, cultural backgrounds, skillsets and levels of work experience. This process took time, but we knew that no one understands our business, pain points and strengths better than our own employees. Their feedback offered a wealth of insight to help us map out a plan that addressed specifically where we need to evolve, shift and align our actions with our culture and values.

Our five-year EIA plan includes multi-faceted DE&I efforts across three focus areas:

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Championing DE&I is not only a social challenge, but also a systems challenge.

The first step of our EIA plan is to assess and update our systems so that we’re laying the foundation for deep cultural transformation. Systems are current processes we have in place, including our Employee Resource Groups, our talent pipeline, and our customer-based product research and development. In some cases, we are creating new systems that will improve the employee and customer experience. Through hiring, training and developing each member of the T-Mobile team to their fullest potential, our systems will be optimized for equity.

Our work will take time, but we’ve already begun identifying the right priorities and goals, developing behaviors that drive those priorities, and fortifying the systems that reward and support those practices. This effort builds upon the public DE&I promises we have already made, with the support of our External Diversity & Inclusion Council.

We will work to fulfill these promises over the next five years, but their impact will be felt sooner –and it will extend beyond our initial plan as we continue growing and evolving as a company.

In addition to the EIA promises we’ve already completed and tracked, we’ve established new programs for our employees, customers and communities. For example, our <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://nexttechdiversity.com/" target="_blank">NextTech Diversity Program</a> provides career training and placement for thousands of underrepresented candidates to take on roles as 5G network technicians, and our Lead Magenta Next development program creates more opportunities for previously untapped talent and strengthens our recruiting pipeline. We also recently launched an enterprise-wide training called One Team, Together Learning Journey, which will take all employees through an expansive multi-year experience to help them form more inclusive habits in the workplace.

Right now, we’re focused on empowering our employees. We’ve given everyone on Team Magenta the shared responsibility and accountability to be a part of Equity In Action and help us move this work forward. By starting with our team, we’re doing DE&I our way, with integrity and authenticity.

But the work won’t end there. We are planning years into the future, and we’ll work in tandem with the extraordinary members of our <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/meet-the-civil-rights-leaders-joining-t-mobiles-external-diversity-and-inclusion-council" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">External Diversity and Inclusion Council </a>— some of the best advocates and thinkers in the DE&I space — to hold us accountable to the promises we’ve made. These are major steps, but they’re just the first on a lifelong journey of learning and growing. We take them together, collectively, as a company that supports and cares for all of the individuals who comprise it.

Equity In Action is more than how we talk about our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts – it is a practical plan to lead by example, put people first and ensure DE&I remains at the center of everything we do.

Equity In Action: The Un-carrier Approach to DE&amp;I | T-Mobile Newsroom

Equity In Action: The Un-carrier Approach to DE&#038;I

Jess Dillon

Equity In Action is more than how we talk about our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts – it is a practical plan to lead by example, put people first and ensure DE&amp;I remains at the center of everything we do.

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/equity-in-action

The Un-carrier announced it will give a combined $1.25 million to Human Rights Campaign Foundation and GLSEN initiatives

What’s the news: To celebrate Pride this year, T-Mobile is furthering its longstanding support of organizations that serve LGBTQ+ youth with a $1 million donation to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s new financial and digital literacy initiatives and a $250,000 donation to GLSEN’s efforts to make schools safer and more inclusive.

Why it matters: These initiatives will have critical — and potentially lifechanging — impacts. They provide educational resources to help LGBTQ+ youth who are <a href="https://www.hrc.org/news/new-report-on-youth-homeless-affirms-that-lgbtq-youth-disproportionately-ex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">120%</a> more likely than cisgender or heterosexual youth to experience homelessness, unstable housing or live in foster care and, as a result, are at higher risk of dropping out of school, facing unemployment and suffering from poverty later in life. They will also support inclusive school programming that connects with the <a href="https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/NSCS-2019-Executive-Summary-English_1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over half </a>of LGBTQ+ students who feel unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation or gender expression.

Who it’s for: LGBTQ+ youth who are shaping the future of their — and all of our — communities.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — June 11, 2021 — Today T-Mobile announced it is taking big steps to advance educational equity for LGBTQ+ youth. The Un-carrier announced a total donation of $1.25 million to initiatives developed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and GLSEN — $1 million to the HRC Foundation’s new financial and digital literacy initiatives and $250,000 to GLSEN’s efforts aimed at making schools safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students.

“T-Mobile recognizes that giving LGBTQ+ youth access to these important HRC and GLSEN initiatives today means we are also empowering the generation that will shape the future of LGBTQ+ advocacy and be this community’s leaders of tomorrow,” said Mike Sievert, T-Mobile CEO. “We’re proud to partner with these two organizations because they share our belief that every single person has the right to feel safe, seen, heard, and prepared to achieve their ambitions — and are delivering quality programming that ensures it.”

Earlier this week, the HRC Foundation and T-Mobile <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-and-t-mobile-announce-initiatives-for-lgbtq-digital-literacy-financial-empowerment" target="_blank">announced</a> a $1 million donation to support new financial and digital literacy initiatives for LGBTQ+ youth and those who have multiple marginalized identities — groups with higher risk of experiencing discrimination, poverty, homelessness and unemployment. The initiatives will provide educational resources on the basics of budgeting and financial management, as well as cyberbullying and internet safety. T-Mobile’s donation to this new programming is part of its <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.t-mobile.com/careers/culture-and-benefits/diversity/public-commitments" target="_blank">Equity In Action Plan</a> that advances diversity, equity and inclusion across all aspects of its business. A key piece of Equity In Action is supporting programs and organizations focused on digital literacy, job training and equitable access in the digital economy for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.

“Creating programming centered around reducing risks of inequity is critical and expands our ability to more holistically serve the LGBTQ+ community,” said Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President. “We thank T-Mobile for championing these causes and illustrating that in order to do the most good, we need everyone on board.”

T-Mobile also announced a new $250,000 donation to GLSEN’s efforts to make schools safer and more enriching for LGBTQ+ students. The funds will support GLSEN’s year-round initiatives and events that provide students in grades K through 12 with a safe, supportive and LGBTQ-inclusive education, including the Rainbow Library, Respect Awards 2021-2022, Day of Silence and Solidarity Week.

“We are extremely grateful to T-Mobile for this generous gift and unique partnership,” said Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers. “This extended support not only promotes inclusion and acceptance that drives real change, but it also helps us deliver on our mission to ensure LGBTQ+ youth are treated with respect in safe and affirming academic environments from coast to coast.”

T-Mobile supports the sexual orientation and gender identity of all customers and employees. The Un-carrier has maintained a perfect score on the HRC’s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/corporate-equality-index" target="_blank">Corporate Equality Index</a> for the last nine consecutive years. For more information about T-Mobile’s Pride celebrations and broader commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, visit the Pride 2021 <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/celebrating-diversity/lgbtq-plus-pride" target="_blank">homepage</a>.

About T-Mobile T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. For more information please visit: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.t-mobile.com." target="_blank">http://www.t-mobile.com.</a>

About The Human Rights Campaign Foundation <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/foundation-overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Human Rights Campaign Foundation</a> is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice.

About GLSEN GLSEN creates safe and affirming K-12 schools for all students. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, and its network of community-led chapters brings GLSEN’s expertise to local communities. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.glsen.org/" target="_blank">glsen.org</a>.

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T-Mobile Celebrates Pride at It's HQ in Bellevue Washington

T-Mobile Celebrates Pride at It's HQ in Overland Park Kansas

T-Mobile will give a combined $1.25 million to Human Rights Campaign Foundation and GLSEN initiatives

This Pride Month 2021, T-Mobile announced it will give a combined $1.25 million to Human Rights Campaign Foundation and GLSEN initiatives.

Powering the Future of Pride: T-Mobile Invests in Educational Equity for LGBTQ+ Youth | T-Mobile Newsroom

Powering the Future of Pride: T-Mobile Invests in Educational Equity for LGBTQ+ Youth

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https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/pride2021

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue to investigate how our relationship with our devices has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from setting boundaries in a mobile-first world to breaking down barriers to mental health access. Through discussions with health experts and a T-Mobile employee using the company’s digital well-being benefits, we take a closer look at how the evolution of mental health tools are providing more viable options for so many people in need.

Processing the Past Year

“I know, honestly, over the past year, I’ve had a couple situations where I felt like I just wanted out.”

Jill Benner will bravely tell you that she wasn’t always keen on using the ample time at home during the pandemic to brush up on her bread-baking skills or invest in a fun new hobby. The senior speech analyst with T-Mobile’s Customer Care says the panic, paranoia and unprecedented isolation caused by the pandemic tested her mental health in ways she could never have anticipated.

A recent <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6932a1-H.pdf">CDC pulse survey</a> measured response changes from July 2019 to July 2020 and found:

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And yet, <a href="https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/">among adults reporting</a> symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, more than <a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/unmet-need-for-counseling-or-therapy-among-adults-reporting-symptoms-of-anxiety-and-or-depressive-disorder-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D">20 percent</a> admitted needing but not receiving counseling or therapy in the past month during the pandemic. Benner says she was scared to be one of those people, until she began looking into what employee benefits were offered to her. What she found was something of a lifeline.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we spoke with Benner to understand how she successfully made use of a digital well-being resource offered by T-Mobile to employees called <a href="https://www.livemagenta.com/">LiveMagenta</a>, as well as mental health experts who provide care through the program. By discussing what’s working and what isn’t with those who have lived through it on both the patient and professional side, a roadmap for greater success of care well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic is uncovered, as well as hope for what actually waits for us beyond.

“The ability to call someone or speak to someone right away was so key,” says Benner, “especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious. It’s important to your overall well-being and your health. Just having access to someone to talk to is so very important.

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Feeling the Effects

“Pandemic-induced anxiety,” Benner says bluntly, when asked what causes her trouble lately. “Being alone. If you don’t get to see your family for extended periods of time, it can be very difficult.”

Benner’s story is all too familiar. The specifics may change from person to person, but according to T-Mobile partners at UnitedHealthcare and Optum — who have collected data from various clients now examining the mental health effects of the pandemic on their employees — the tone remains consistent.

“Why do people need mental health resources?” asks Jessica Zach, an <a href="https://www.optum.com/">Optum</a> Senior Client Executive partner with T-Mobile. “One of the leading diagnostic drivers in the mental health space today is anxiety and most of the recent feelings of anxiety that people are experiencing is attributed to the pandemic.”

Anxiety and trauma stress-related disorders being named the primary reason for seeking help has actually remained steady since the early months of pandemic lockdowns when <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/">nearly half of Americans</a> reported the coronavirus crisis was affecting their mental health, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-is-harming-the-mental-health-of-tens-of-millions-of-people-in-us-new-poll-finds/2020/04/02/565e6744-74ee-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a Kaiser Family Foundation poll</a>.

A federal emergency hotline received an increase in calls by <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-health-202/2020/05/04/the-health-202-texts-to-federal-government-mental-health-hotline-up-roughly-1-000-percent/5eaae16c602ff15fb0021568/?itid=ap_paigewinfield%20cunningham&itid=lk_inline_manual_12">1,000 percent</a> between April 2019 and April 2020. Experts began digging into the data to learn about the surge, finding that many more people experiencing emotional distress were reaching out for help, and using their devices to do so.

Since 2017, T-Mobile has offered its well-being benefit LiveMagenta, which provides a wide-range of resources across a bevy of areas, from financial to physical and emotional. Whether you’re looking to stop smoking, save up to buy a home, prepare to adopt a child or focus on your mental health, LiveMagenta seeks to connect T-Mobile employees with experts and the tools to tackle some of life’s big challenges. The program was expanded to include legacy Sprint employees soon after the merger with T-Mobile in 2020, and the types of services provided, especially in the mental health space, evolved over time — from apps to virtual therapy programs.

“I think things are getting better, but there’s still fear,” explains Benner. “People are going through fear of what happens when things open up. Will this reoccur? There’s an unknown, and having access to tools [like these] is so important to be able to work through those kinds of questions. LiveMagenta gives you that access, which is just phenomenal.”

In November, T-Mobile also became the first wireless company to extend mental health resources to customers via the <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/t-mobile-makes-988-emergency-lifeline-available-to-customers">nationwide 988 emergency lifeline</a>. Those in need of free mental health support were able to access it immediately by dialing 988 to be connected directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of approximately 180 local and state-funded crisis centers. Further reinforcing that our devices are key to finding help even as we prepared for vaccinations and easing of COVID-19 restriction, since introducing this free service, some 15,000 people have made use of it — with the highest recorded use more recently in March and April of this year (7,933 to be exact).

Mental Health Help, Virtually Anytime

Though adopting new healthy habits isn’t always easy, one trend that experts are trying to understand better in order to make mental health resources more accessible is the uptick in virtual visits since 2020, and the common behavioral traits when using them.

Through LiveMagenta, T-Mobile offers employees free access to premium apps for mental health support. One such app is <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Stress-Relief-with-Sanvello">Sanvello,</a> which provides “clinical techniques to help dial down the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression — anytime.”

Another set of tools widely used by T-Mobile employees are digital self-care videos and modules such as <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Mindfulness-with-eM-Life">eM Life</a>. These self-paced online courses and mindfulness exercises invite people to consume video modules over a certain period of time to learn coping methods and then offer new tools with subsequent modules.

And then there is <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Virtual-Therapy-with-Talkspace">Talkspace</a>, a network provider where members can have virtual visits and/or text based therapy with a clinician.

Robin Bassler, a former <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/LiveMagenta-Life-Coach">Life Coach</a> and current leader within the T-Mobile’s Employee Assistance program that provides LiveMagenta, says it’s not just that virtual resources are clearly a more viable option at the moment, but it’s how people use the time once they’re plugged in that she’s most interested in.

“We have also seen a significant jump in members using virtual services, such as virtual counseling and more visits to the website for self-care material,” says Bassler. “But we have also noticed members who are calling in are spending more time on the phone with us and members who were engaged with a counselor prior were attending visits more often,” she adds.

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Bassler and Zach say companies like T-Mobile have been investing in these trends in hopes it will allow the space to evolve and eventually become part of the new post-pandemic zeitgeist. And, from the most recent numbers, it’s a method that seems to be working. According to Zach, not only are virtual programs being used 100 percent more of the time across all corporate clients compared to 2019, but in T-Mobile’s case, where more than one kind of digital option is offered, employees are more apt to find something that suits their needs. T-Mobile’s employees used their LiveMagenta well-being resources at a far greater percentage than Optum’s other clients utilized their employee benefits during the last months of 2020.

 “This demonstrated more awareness of the service and a higher desire to use services by T-Mobile employees,” explains Zach.

It’s an investment that is backed by outside studies as well. Many therapists <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/finding-therapy-coronavirus-stress-anxiety-anger/2020/04/25/4c00dd3c-866d-11ea-a3eb-e9fc93160703_story.html">have transitioned to teletherapy</a> because of coronavirus lockdowns, and there’s actually already research from the past three decades which found that video-enabled teletherapy is<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0027924"> as effective as in-person therapy</a> and that the therapeutic relationship and satisfaction with therapy do not suffer.

“It’s important to always evolve resources to adapt and fit into peoples’ lifestyles and to provide a comprehensive offering,” says Bassler. “That is an area that I’ve been most excited about in terms of how we have incorporated more tools and resources for people to use such as in the moment self-care through the <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Stress-Relief-with-Sanvello">Sanvello Premium</a> <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Stress-Relief-with-Sanvello">app</a> and introducing <a href="https://livemagenta.com/l3/Virtual-Therapy-with-Talkspace">Talkspace</a>.”

Talkspace <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/">reported a 65 percent jump</a> in clients mid-February of 2020, showcasing an obvious appetite for their service. Text messages and transcribed therapy sessions collected anonymously by the company show <a href="https://www.talkspace.com/blog/coronavirus-talkspace-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coronavirus-related anxiety</a> dominated patients’ concerns. And users at T-Mobile like Benner say it’s continued to be a helpful resource as we start to navigate the unknown of post-lockdown life.

“Talkspace has been a great resource,” says Benner. “I got to talk about things stressing me out with someone online.” And the entire suite of tools has had a cumulative effect in her overall mental health. “Since the pandemic started it’s helped me be less anxious,” Benner adds, “and helped me to manage overthinking and stress.”

Serving Those Who Serve

As May is also Military Appreciation month, there’s a natural focus on how the pandemic has affected our veterans and other military service men and women.

Before the pandemic, mental health was already a complicated issue in the military. Nearly one in three U.S. service members who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan<a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9336.html"> </a><a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9336.html">report</a> having developed a mental health condition requiring treatment. Approximately 730,000 men and women <a href="https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/topics/veterans/#:~:text=STARTLING%20STATISTICS,(PTSD)%20and%20major%20depression.">were surveyed</a>, with many experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression, but less than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health help. As the country at large grapples with the mental health effects of COVID-19, many within the military community are questioning how this will impact those men and women who were already working to find a stable foundation.

“Mental health can affect all people, and it has particular impacts on members of the military community,” says Tana Avellar, Co-Chair of T-Mobile’s Veteran & Allies Network (VAN) employee resource group. “Hardships are felt whether you are in uniform, a spouse taking care of kids while your loved one is deployed, or a kiddo who has to learn saying goodbye to friends and new schools are a part life’s normal in a military family. These unique experiences can bring on mental health struggles which are even more amplified during today’s environment. It’s important to call out mental health because we have a captive audience listening.”

T-Mobile has created resources through LiveMagenta specifically for its VAN employees, such as <a href="https://vibe.emindful.com/programs/206">eM Life sessions</a> dedicated to helping veterans who are navigating the challenges of adjusting to civilian life. There’s also something called Live and Work Well Content that contains articles, guides and videos focused on mental health in areas such as deployment stress, family support and reunion and reintegration guidance.

Prepared For The Road Ahead

As we look to push forward, it’s key to recognize learnings of the past year and evolve old systems, not only for the crisis that could once again come our way, but for a better baseline overall.

“The pandemic has been difficult,” says Bassler, “but people are very resilient. I think people have learned some important lessons — lessons that will help when they are faced with adversity again.”

It’s in this train of thought that one can assess that the pandemic has made us more prepared and stronger to face challenges of all kinds. Deeanne King, T-Mobile’s Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, believes that by forcing us to innovate ways to create more readily accessible mental health resources, we’re in a better place to help those in need utilize tools for survival whether for reasons related to the pandemic or just for managing everyday stress.

“When I originally sent out the note about resources to support employees with COVID and leaned in on LiveMagenta and tending to their mental health — I can’t even tell you how many employees I heard from that said basically, ‘Wow, this must mean that I am not the only one struggling — thank you for helping me not feel alone here,’” shares King. “Mental health comes in so many shapes and sizes — sometimes it’s traumatic and other times it takes on a lesser weight, but it keeps us from being our best.  In the past year, we all have been in the same ocean but not all in the same boats and we never know which boat someone is in — if they are bailing water or patching it as they go — so there is nothing more important in today’s world than taking a minute to ask ‘How are you, really?’ and really listening and getting folks to these great resources if they need it.”

And the investment T-Mobile has made into connecting people to those resources is something King says she believes will reveal benefits long after the pandemic. And that’s the point. The work isn’t finished once the pandemic ends. Our problems don’t evaporate and the tough times don’t magically improve. But how we cope can.

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While experts continue to explore ways to make mental health resources more accessible, one simple truth remains a barrier to getting people the help they need: It’s never been easy for there to be a widespread adoption of good new habits over a sustained period of time. But in an effort to capitalize on Mental Health Awareness Month when the topic is top of mind, we asked Dr. Seth Sextner, the Chief Heath Office at <a href="https://www.optum.com/">Optum</a>, what are some simple yet impactful takeaways that experts can offer. He breaks it down into four parts for everyone looking to care for their mental wellbeing.Remember you are not alone. “You’re not the only one struggling. Many people are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, changes in their alcohol and eating behaviors due to changes brought on by the pandemic.”It’s ok to not be ok yet. “Just because we may be starting to open up our society again (get back to offices, travel, restaurants, etc.) it doesn’t mean we are automatically feeling back to normal.  It may take some getting used to being around people again. If you think you need help, reach out. “If you have been thinking about getting help or wanting to gain access to resources now is the time.  Don’t put it off.” There’s no one size fits all here so don’t compare yourself to others. “I try not to judge. No judgement of yourself or anyone else for seeking to take care of themselves.  We are all doing the best we can with what we have and who we are.  And in addition, there are things you can do to improve your overall wellbeing that are core. Get enough sleep, be physically active in some way everyday (this can really help your mood and overall wellbeing), notice what you eat and try little tweaks to improve your diet (ex. sneak in an apple as a snack now and then), and take advantage of your social connections.  It’s time to spend time with friends and family again (as appropriately masked, distanced, vaccinated, outside), get outside and connect with nature and my personal favorite is laugh a little.”

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This Mental Health Awareness Month, we investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic evolved mental health tools that provide more viable options for those in need.

Mobile Mindfulness: The Future of Mental Health | T-Mobile Newsroom

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