Recently, St. Lawrence University connected with TalkCampus, a peer-to-peer mental health support network accessible to students at over 250 universities and colleges globally, and now, to SLU students. The app stems from TalkLife, which is an international mental health tech company that specializes in creating platforms where people around the world can offer each other support and advice for the ups and downs of life. TalkCampus partners with Harvard University, Georgia Tech, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University and other institutions to conduct research. The research focuses on improving our comprehensions of mental health, suicidal ideations and online communications that are safe and productive.
TalkCampus dedicates a section of its website to addressing a commonly asked question. Why peer support? The webpage explains that peer support relies on students to build connections and share personal experiences to help each other. They assert that peer support research has shown that it is associated with reductions in feelings of depression and anxiety, a greater sense of happiness, increased self-esteem and improved quality of life and social functioning.
The app is very accessible to students all over the world. It is available for students free of cost and is currently supportive of 26 different languages. A professional trust and safety team with trained clinicians is available 24/7 to monitor the content being posted on the app. This aims to ensure a comfortable and supportive online environment. The team is supported by artificial intelligence to quickly detect students who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. TalkCampus will never break user confidentiality unless the nature of a post suggests that a student may be a danger to themselves or others. In this event, a member of the TalkCampus team will reach out directly to SLU’s crisis intervention services, which are also available on the app to students at all times.
The app offers many features alongside the student services of the individual’s attended university. There are chat topics found in the app that can be filtered for individual needs and preferences. Some examples of topics include relationships, work, friends, music, helpful tips, LGBTQ+, self-harm, pregnancy, nutrition, self-care, living abroad, religion and many more. To supplement these topics, there are learning modules that offer general information and tips for many of these matters.
Since its launch in 2020, TalkCampus has seen a great amount of success in achieving their mission. Out of its users, 89 percent said that they would recommend the app to others, and 86 percent found it easier to seek help since beginning to use the app. Approximately 80 percent reported feeling generally more understood and better equipped to cope with life’s challenges. Given these statistics, the growing usage of TalkCampus will create stronger connections and greater collegiate experiences for students worldwide, ensuring a constant and supportive community for mental health and wellness.