In a continuing effort to provide students with accessible mental health care, Southern University System recently announced its partnership with Togetherall to offer free 24/7 online peer-to-peer psychiatric support to all students. Togetherall’s portfolio of services will soon be available to students at all five system locations: Southern University and A&M College, Southern University Law Center and Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge; Southern University at New Orleans; and Southern University at Shreveport.
“Anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and relationship issues were all challenges our students faced before the pandemic,” said Dr. ValaRay Irvin, executive director of the University Counseling Center on Southern’s Baton Rouge campus. “However, following the pandemic, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of students seeking support for these challenges. We learned that students found solace in supporting one another rather than turning to traditional counseling services. It gives us confidence that our students are receiving accurate and effective support from Togetherall and that the community is being monitored by licensed professionals, rather than students turning to shady social media platforms or websites for answers.”
While students and their mental health issues have not necessarily changed since the pandemic, the noticeable increase in service needs prompted Southern University to form this unique partnership with Togetherall. The addition of online peer-to-peer service support demonstrates the University’s continued commitment to prioritizing student well-being and deploying strategic solutions to best meet changing needs.
“Concerns about the mental health of college students have increased significantly in recent years,” said Matthew McEvoy, President of Togetherall North America. “Between classes, studies, extracurricular activities and social life, students need support that is available to them when they need it. By partnering with Togetherall, Southern University System ensures its students have access to mental health resources they can trust to be safe, anonymous, non-judgmental and all-inclusive.”
Togetherall works closely with college communities to offer a 24/7 online platform that recognizes the importance of anonymous peer-to-peer relationships while maintaining a regulated methodology with professional oversight. In the United States, Togetherall has partnered with more than 350 colleges and universities to improve their mental health resources. In a recent survey of Togetherall members, 93% said their well-being improved after using the platform, 80% said they felt less isolated, and 64% said they lost thoughts and feelings on the Share platform because it is anonymous.
