The University of Texas at El Paso: Reaching more and different students through clinically moderated digital peer-to-peer support

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), a Carnegie R1 research university serving more than 25,000 students, implemented Togetherall in 2021 to enhance and expand its mental health support system. Under the leadership of Dr. Brian Sneed, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), UTEP has integrated Togetherall into a broader Stepped Care Model, aiming to reach students who may not otherwise seek traditional mental health services.

Demographic considerations

UTEP’s student body is predominantly Hispanic (88%), with a nearly even gender distribution, with 55% female and 45% male students. This unique demographic makeup – and the cultural context of mutual aid encapsulated in the university’s “Miners helping Miners” ethos – informed UTEP’s decision to adopt a peer-to-peer mental health support tool that complements culturally responsive care.

While UTEP uses another teletherapy service that has a peer-to-peer support component, they additionally brought on Togetherall because of their specialization in peer-focused mental health support. Togetherall’s commitment to clinical rigor and member safety ensures that any student getting or giving support from peers on the platform does so in a protective, vibrant environment.

“We believe that Togetherall reaches a portion of students that we may not have been able to serve. Many students are looking for support but are either not ready or not willing to come to counseling.

Togetherall provides them something that will help with their mental health and wellbeing. We are in the works of making Togetherall a solid part of our stepped care program targeting the aforementioned population of students.”

Brian Sneed, Ph.D., L.P., Director of Counseling and Psychological Services

Challenges and the need for scalable support

UTEP faced a growing volume of students seeking mental health support – not all of whom required psychotherapy. CAPS found that a segment of their student population needed a safe, supportive space to express themselves, manage stress, and connect with others, without the intensity or structure of formal therapy.

Togetherall addressed this gap by offering 24/7/365, anonymous, peer-to-peer support moderated round-the-clock by licensed clinicians. The platform created an environment familiar to students – akin to social media, but clinically safe – where they could share struggles and receive validation from peers.

“The platform’s online, anonymous format appeals to students who may be reluctant to seek help through traditional individual or group counseling, ensuring that critical support is accessible to a broader population.”

Dr. Brian Sneed

Integration into existing services

Togetherall now functions as a critical component of UTEP’s comprehensive mental health ecosystem. Alongside 1:1 and group counseling, online wellness content, crisis lines, and virtual psychiatric services, Togetherall offers an additional tier of support for students with mild to moderate concerns or those hesitant to engage in traditional therapy.

Crucially, Togetherall’s role has improved CAPS’ overall operational efficiency. It has helped reduce session wait times and allowed counselors to devote more attention to students presenting with higher acuity needs.

Strategic communication and promotion

UTEP has taken a multi-pronged approach to promoting Togetherall. Key promotional tactics have included:

• Campus-wide awareness: TV monitors, digital bulletins, posters, and flyers.
• Academic integration: Blackboard (LMS) announcements, especially during high-stress periods like finals.
• Student engagement: Orientation sessions, classroom presentations, promotional items, and tabling events.
• Administrative buy-in: Regular collaboration with student affairs and partnerships with departments like the Office of Community Standards, which incorporates Togetherall into student conduct interventions.

Among these efforts, tabling, Blackboard (LMS) announcements, and business cards emerged as the most effective methods of driving student engagement.

Cultural alignment and long-term vision

The decision to implement Togetherall was not only strategic but values driven. UTEP’s commitment to a culture of care – embodied in the “Miners helping Miners” mentality – aligned seamlessly with Togetherall’s model of human-to-human support. This cultural resonance has been instrumental in normalizing help-seeking behaviors and making mental health resources more approachable and destigmatized.

Looking ahead, Dr. Sneed envisions Togetherall as a fully integrated piece of UTEP’s Stepped Care Model, targeting students who are ambivalent about counseling but still in need of meaningful mental health support. The platform also offers continuity of care for students transitioning out of therapy but seeking ongoing emotional connection.

How Togetherall operates along the mental health care continuum

No two students’ mental health journeys are the same. Not every case requires 1:1 counseling, yet many institutions default to this high-touch model – creating a gap between perceived needs and available services. Togetherall helps close that gap by offering a “both/and” approach: expanding support options rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.

“It is important to acknowledge that a single campus counseling center may not have the capacity to address the full spectrum of student needs, particularly across varying levels of distress. Services like Togetherall offer a valuable solution. They provide support for students experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns, which helps alleviate pressure on counseling centers and allows them to focus their efforts on students with higher-risk needs.”

Dr. Brian Sneed

Togetherall’s key impact within the higher education space:

• Early engagement: on average, 92% of students who used Togetherall were not actively seeking help elsewhere. We reach those who are quietly struggling – offering a low-barrier, anonymous way to begin engaging with mental health support.
• Retention support: 1 in 5 Togetherall users reported that the platform helped them remain enrolled. For institutions, this means improved student outcomes – and significant financial return. Retaining anywhere from 3-5 additional students can offset the full cost of investment in Togetherall.

Togetherall’s key impact within the UTEP student body:

• 87% of student members felt Togetherall was helpful or very helpful to their mental health
• 57% of student member activity that was out of hours
• 89% of student members are not using any other form of campus support
• 71% of student members are not using any form of mental health support overall
• ~6.5% of the student population has accessed the platform (compared to 4% who visit the counseling center)

“Togetherall’s role has improved CAPS’ overall operational efficiency. It has helped reduce session wait times and allowed counselors to devote more attention to students presenting with higher acuity needs.”

Dr. Brian Sneed

Advice for mental health leaders in higher education

Dr. Sneed emphasizes a key reality: “A single campus counseling center may not have the capacity to address the full spectrum of student needs.” For institutions grappling with limited resources and a growing and different demand for mental health support, he recommends considering services like Togetherall as a vital piece of the puzzle.

By addressing the needs of students with mild to moderate concerns, Togetherall helps counseling centers focus on higher-risk cases while ensuring broader accessibility to support. Its anonymous, online format particularly benefits students reluctant to access traditional services, thereby expanding reach and inclusivity.

The University of Texas at El Paso’s integration of Togetherall has proven to be a strategic and culturally aligned investment in student mental health. Through thoughtful implementation and consistent promotion, the university has expanded its capacity to support student wellbeing while honoring its mission of community care. Togetherall’s peer-to-peer platform has become more than a digital tool – it’s a bridge to connection, resilience, and student empowerment.

About Togetherall     

To date, Togetherall is available to 4.5 million students worldwide at more than 350 colleges and universities. Togetherall is the leading clinically managed, peer-to-peer, online support community where students can share what’s on their minds, anonymously, safely, and in-the-moment, 24/7/365. Students can connect through shared lived experiences with a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of real, live, licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. These clinicians empower individuals in peer support and foster and maintain a safe, vibrant environment.      

If you are interested in offering safe and scalable ways to support your students’ mental health, contact us to find out more about Togetherall’s online community.