Boston University provides students with digital peer support

We are pleased to announce that students at Boston University now have access to a clinically moderated mental health support resource. Through a newly established collaboration with Togetherall, students can engage with a global community of peers, giving and getting peer support in a safe and anonymous online environment, available 24/7/365.    

Based in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, is Boston University (BU), a sprawling urban campus home to more than 36,000 students. BU’s student body is comprised of students on campus, students studying abroad, and those enrolled via online programs. It goes without saying that addressing the mental health needs of all these students is a challenge, yet it is one that Kara Cattani, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral Medicine at BU, and her team approach with dedication and commitment.  

“We are excited, at Boston University Student Health Services (SHS), to be partnering with Togetherall!” Dr. Cattani said. “In 2022, BU Student Government advocated for peer support offerings, which led SHS professionals to create an in-person peer listening program called ‘All Ears’. This program has been well-received, and we are thrilled to add Togetherall as an anonymous, online expansion for peer support.” 

Dr. Cattani also shared as to why BU found Togetherall such a viable option for their students: 

“Through its reputable online peer support community, Togetherall will offer all BU students (including students who are studying abroad or enrolled in online degree programs) 24/7 access to a great mental health support tool. A few key reasons we decided to partner with Togetherall are:  

• It’s global and diverse partnering institutions will allow for connecting students with peers across the globe with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

• The fact that the platform is clinically moderated; trained therapists help maintain a supportive environment by monitoring interactions, ensuring adherence to community guidelines, and intervening when necessary to assist with any crises. 

• The research which suggests that peer support is a preferred form of help-seeking among historically underserved student populations.” 

Katharine Mooney, MPH, Director of Health Promotion and Prevention at Boston University, spoke to how digital peer support will integrate alongside BU’s existing mental health offerings in saying,

“Togetherall will expand upon our prevention measures by helping students manage stress, build resilience, and make supportive connections. Success will be measured by tracking adoption and engagement rates as well as feedback from Boston University students.”

Ben Locke, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Officer at Togetherall, added:

“Dr. Cattani’s leadership in the mental health space at Boston University has been integral in launching and forming this well-established relationship with Togetherall and providing digital peer support for BU students. We look forward to supporting BU students in this school year ahead and beyond, recognizing that the clinical moderation factor is of utmost importance in maintaining a low-lift, well-structured peer support system for BU’s student body.” 

About Togetherall    

To date, Togetherall is available to 4.6 million students worldwide at more than 450 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.