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By Kenya Godette

Students at ���Ϲ� have multiple responsibilities. Many are juggling their rigorous academics with jobs and family obligations. At times, students can feel overwhelmed, and the University is committed to each student’s well-being. 

That commitment is reflected in the University’s adoption of TalkCampus, a 24/7 online peer-to-peer platform where students can securely receive support from other students experiencing similar mental health challenges and stressors common to college life. 

“It’s a service that augments University clinical counseling services, recognizing that not everyone needs or wants clinical counseling, but everyone needs to feel like they matter and that people see and hear them,” said Joy Himmel, Psy.D., director of the Office of Counseling Services. 

Since its launch in January 2025, the TalkCampus app has had steady student use. ���Ϲ� students have used TalkCampus 6,092 times, receiving support from 162 peers across 17 countries. Among the students on the platform, 40% reported they had never sought campus mental health resources, while 23% said they had.

Dr. Himmel emphasized that TalkCampus is not a replacement for professional counseling, particularly when symptoms include ongoing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or thoughts of self-harm. That distinction is central to the platform’s design to complement existing services.

What sets TalkCampus apart from traditional counseling services is its peer-to-peer approach.

Peer programs lower barriers, such as stigma, fear of being judged or uncertainty about whether a concern is “serious enough,” according to Dr. Himmel. They also help bridge the gap for students who feel uncomfortable seeking professional care, which is something the University has seen among first-year and international students.

“Peer support supplements clinical care by offering quick connections, guiding students to resources and serving as a sounding board for stress reactions,” Dr. Himmel said.

Students said they use TalkCampus to meet people, gather different perspectives, manage feelings and combat loneliness.

“Sense of belonging is one of the strongest predictors of student persistence and graduation,” Dr. Himmel said. “This platform is built on the premise that everyone is responsible for the well-being of our campus community.”

Data shows 84% of ���Ϲ� students reported counseling services helped them stay in school.

While connection is foundational, safety remains a nonnegotiable priority.

When a student’s posts indicate a higher-than-average risk level, TalkCampus contacts the student directly through a one-on-one chat to request personal information and location. That information is shared with Dr. Himmel and ProtoCall, a third-party crisis management vendor, to develop a coordinated care plan for the student.

If there is a serious concern about a student’s safety, Dr. Himmel and the ���Ϲ� Police Department are contacted immediately.

Long-term, Dr. Himmel hopes to see TalkCampus and other well-being resources integrated across classrooms, curricula, residence halls and student services.

She also emphasized the role of faculty and staff as ambassadors for campus well-being, noting they are often the first to recognize when a student is struggling academically or emotionally.

“It takes a village,” Dr. Himmel said. In the coming years, she hopes TalkCampus will become a widely recognized and trusted resource at ���Ϲ�, as familiar and accessible to students as traditional counseling services.

Students can download the TalkCampus app from the Office of Counseling Services website.