Do you type more often than you talk on the phone? McMaster’s Peer Support Line has you covered.

Peer Support OnLine, a new digital service offered through the Peer Support Line, allows members of the McMaster community to connect with a trained volunteer in a safe, private chatroom.

No topic is off limits, and users are encouraged to discuss all manner of physical, mental and sexual health concerns in a free and open dialogue. Most conversations last about 20-30 minutes, but some have stretched to several hours.

“One of our core values is being non-judgmental,” said Ameema Saeed, a fourth-year Life Sciences student and coordinator of the Peer Support Line. “If a McMaster student is just looking for someone to talk to, whether they have good or bad news to share, we’re more than happy to listen.”

McMaster students can access Peer Support OnLine between Sunday and Tuesday, from 9 p.m to 12 a.m. The chatroom is mobile-friendly, and can be accessed via most smartphones.

According to Saeed, the new chatroom service will increase the reach and engagement of the traditional Peer Support Line, while allowing students to choose the platform that best suits their needs.

“For students who live with roommates or don’t have much personal space, they may not be able to call the Peer Support Line and talk over the phone without being overheard,” said Saeed. “This new service will allow students to chat in private, whether they’re on the bus, on campus or in their bedroom at home.”

Although still a pilot project, Saeed is confident Peer Support OnLine will be available seven days a week in the near future.

Launched in 2013, the Peer Support Line is currently staffed by 51 trained student volunteers (also known as Peer Listeners) who are able to provide information regarding on or off-campus health resources, offer emotional support or simply lend a sympathetic ear.

Breaking down mental health stigmas and promoting an open dialogue on campus is a key part of the team’s day-to-day operation.

“Students should never be afraid to reach out and say what’s on their mind,” added Saeed. “We’re always here for them.”

Talk to a Peer Listener: 

Peer Support OnLine can be accessed on the bottom right-hand corner of the Peer Support Line website. Click on the green “Let’s Chat” icon to open a new chat window.

Students can also dial 905-525-9140 ext. 28888 between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., every day of the week, to speak with a Peer Listener over the phone.

Please note: Peer Listeners do not use call display and will not ask for personal information, unless there are concerns for your safety or the safety of others.

In case of emergency: 

McMaster students who are experiencing a crisis are urged to contact emergency services or a local branch of Distress Centres Ontario.

Students who are not in crisis but wish to speak with a professional counsellor in a free and confidential manner can do so via Good2Talk, Ontario’s postsecondary student helpline.

McMaster’s Student Wellness Centre is also available for in-person counselling services, medical and health services, wellness education and additional resources.