Northern Kentucky University (NKU) delivers digital mental health support to nearly 16,000 students on campus and those receiving virtual education

We are excited to announce that students at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) can now access a clinically moderated mental health support resource where they can connect with a global community of peers with shared lived experiences. The University launched a partnership with Togetherall, a safe and anonymous space in which students can benefit from an online peer-to-peer community by giving and getting support 24/7. NKU offers Togetherall’s platform in addition to their existing services, including in-person therapy sessions through their counseling center and other digital tools. 

In its large suburban setting, Northern Kentucky University (NKU) is home to nearly 16,000 students, undergraduate and graduate. NKU’s student body is made up of multiple backgrounds on campus, with more than 18% of students age 25+, and a diverse compilation of students coming in digitally. The University has recently introduced an entirely virtual education option for students, meaning physical location is no longer a hinderance in attracting applicants. A digital form of mental health support was a no-brainer for NKU to efficiently reach as many students as possible – and they chose Togetherall. Dr. Bob Alston, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Northern Kentucky University, said, 

“Functionally, as a regional comprehensive university, our virtual education option growth has limited our ability to scale non-clinical counseling and non-clinical wellbeing support. Given the growth, and our desire to provide pathways for support for students without regard to their physical location (and valid licensing limitations on providing clinical services outside our region), we needed to find a creative opportunity for those students.”

With such a vast myriad of digital mental health options available for higher ed students nowadays, NKU settled on Togetherall and peer support. 

“We’re excited about adding Togetherall’s peer support model expertise into our portfolio of student services,” said Dr. Alston. “This opportunity for digital community engagement will help enhance our support and education focused on a person-centered student experience while respecting the interconnected nature of the NKU community. We seek to connect and coordinate university services and resources to support learners’ mental health, psychological and physical safety, and wellbeing outside the classroom.” 

Speaking to the importance of the 24/7/365 clinical moderation component in Togetherall’s online peer support community:

“Togetherall’s clinical moderation was key for us, as we always want to ensure appropriate escalation when folx safety is in question. In particular, we’re grateful for the moderation management team’s ability to connect a student with NKU Counseling Services care options in their time of need.” 

Dr. Alston went on to say: 

“Northern Kentucky University is a steward of place in our region and our recent growth in virtual course delivery asked for purposeful support for students beyond our campus geography. The opportunity to leverage Togetherall’s expertise in digital peer support, coordination of care for students should a crisis emerge, and a shared goal to promote the interconnectedness of the NKU student experience, working with Togetherall advances our strategic goals for student wellbeing in the NKU community.” 

Togetherall looks forward to supporting the growing population of Northern Kentucky University throughout this school year and beyond. 

About Togetherall

To date, Togetherall is available to 4.6 million students worldwide at more than 450 colleges and universities. In recent survey data, the majority of respondents cited feelings of depression and anxiety as their reason for joining. More than one-third of surveyed students reported that Togetherall is the only mental health support they are using. Registrant data also reflected the diversity of students using Togetherall, with 53% identifying as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), and 7% identifying as transgender or non-binary.     

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.