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College life often involves a whirlwind of new experiences, academic challenges, and personal growth. However, the pressures and transitions associated with higher education can negatively impact students’ mental health. According to a national survey of 1,200 college students entering the 2023-24 school year, peer support is the top way students plan to cope with stress and anxiety.
Peer support serves as a crucial initial step in seeking help, effectively dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health care. Particularly beneficial for students grappling with loneliness and isolation, online peer interactions may also be helpful to those with serious mental illnesses, fostering a greater sense of social connectedness and belonging amid daily challenges.
How peer support enables student success
A student might turn to a peer first for many reasons. They may not be comfortable seeking in-person support. Perhaps they haven’t deemed their struggles “important enough” to seek professional help. Or the student may just be looking for a peer they can identify with who has been through a similar situation.
Peer support is critical for student success
Accessibility and inclusivity
Reducing stigma
The anonymity provided by digital platforms can be a powerful tool in combating the stigma surrounding mental health. Students may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings when shielded by the relative anonymity of online interactions. Digital peer support creates a safe space for open dialogue, allowing individuals to express themselves without fear of judgment. Breaking down these barriers encourages more students to seek help and support, ultimately contributing to a healthier campus culture surrounding mental health.
Shared experiences and empathy
One of the unique strengths of digital peer support is its ability to connect students who share similar experiences. Whether it’s the stress of exams, the challenges of adjusting to college life, or the complexities of balancing academics and personal life, connecting with peers who can relate on a personal level can be incredibly comforting. The empathy that arises from shared experiences fosters a sense of community and understanding, helping students realize they are not alone in their struggles.
Real-time support
Digital peer support offers real-time assistance, allowing students to seek help when they need it most. This immediacy can be crucial during times of crisis or intense stress. Whether through instant messaging, group chats, or video calls, connecting with peers in real time can provide much-needed emotional support and guidance.
Promoting positive mental health practices
TimelyCare Peer Community
Recognizing that most college students with mental health issues turn to each other first, TimelyCare developed Peer Community, an easily navigable, safe online space for students to directly support and encourage each other on their wellness journeys. The TimelyCare Peer Community fosters understanding, empathy, and shared experiences. Licensed clinical staff equipped with AI moderation ensure community standards and prevent abuse such as offensive language, hate speech, and personal identification. Care coordinators reach out to students who show signs of needing more support and suggest options for the next level of care in the TimelyCare platform or via on-campus resources.
Half of students using TimelyCare’s digital self-care resources and Peer Community do not seek provider visits, emphasizing the need for additional, self-guided on-ramps to care.
Key topics driving Peer Community engagement include relationships, depression, anxiety, stress, and student life.
What students say about TimelyCare’s Peer Community
Engagement in the TimelyCare Peer Community is robust with nearly 500,000 interactions in 2023, and students have provided direct feedback about their experiences.
“In the Peer Community, it’s nice to see other people going through the same things that I am. It’s very refreshing to see, ‘I know what you’re feeling and I’m in the same boat.'”
"My experience with TimelyCare has been great. TimelyCare isn't just an app, it's a community that helps you connect with your peers. It also has services that I wouldn't have access to because I am an international student."
“I really like the Peer Community feature on the app. You have that 24-hour access and you can also go and express how you feel anonymously.”
“What I like most about it is being able to basically communicate anything that's going on in my life and receiving support or finding solace through other people who might be experiencing something similar. And I like how it doesn't have to be very professional, it's very peer to peer, it's very community, and it feels safe being able to share that knowledge or share that experience with people who may not necessarily be close peers that I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing.”
“I really like the Peer Community feature on the app. You have that 24-hour access and you can also go and express how you feel anonymously.”
– Student, Claflin University
“What I like most about it is being able to basically communicate anything that’s going on in my life and receiving support or finding solace through other people who might be experiencing something similar. And I like how it doesn’t have to be very professional, it’s very peer to peer, it’s very community, and it feels safe being able to share that knowledge or share that experience with people who may not necessarily be close peers that I wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing.”
– Student, American River College
“In the Peer Community, it’s nice to see other people going through the same things that I am. It’s very refreshing to see, ‘I know what you’re feeling and I’m in the same boat.’”
– Student, American River College
“I really like the Peer Community feature on the app. You have that 24-hour access and you can also go and express how you feel anonymously.”
– Student, Claflin University
“”My experience with TimelyCare has been great. TimelyCare isn’t just an app, it’s a community that helps you connect with your peers. It also has services that I wouldn’t have access to because I am an international student.””
– Student, Lee College
As universities adapt to the ever-evolving needs of their student populations, integrating digital peer support into existing mental health initiatives is a transformative step toward creating healthier and more resilient college communities. By promoting accessibility, reducing stigma, fostering empathy through shared experiences, providing real-time support and encouraging positive mental health practices, these platforms play a vital role in shaping a campus culture that prioritizes every student’s well-being.
