When times get tough, they’re who you’re gonna call
The Peer Support Line is open seven days a week during the school year from 7p.m. – 1 a.m. at (905) 525-9140 extension 28888.
It’s the fifth week of classes, students are settled in and midterms are around the corner.
But when the all-nighters begin and stress levels start to rise, who can students turn to?
One option is the McMaster Students Union’s Peer Support Line.
The Peer Support Line is a confidential phone line for any McMaster student to call. On the other end of the line are trained volunteers who listen when students need someone to talk to.
“You can call us on your best day or worst day, or anything in-between, we are here to listen,” says Ameema Saeed, co-ordinator for the service.
Saeed says that while the service is popular, the biggest barrier to its use is students’ fear of asking for help.
That’s why the Peer Support Line protects student’s privacy by keeping conversations confidential and maintaining anonymity.
It’s also why staff at the Line plan to launch an online chat service next year.
The idea was sparked after they noticed the sheer number of students reaching out to each other via social networks.
“Students would share what was troubling them and there turned out to be an overwhelming response from other students who had been through something similar or just wanted to help,” says Saeed. “Students helping one another without judgement, that’s what the McMaster community is. So creating a platform where students could safely share their concerns and receive trained, expert advice is ideal.”
The lines are open seven days a week during the school year from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. at (905) 525-9140 extension 28888. Students may also find helpful solutions among the list of resources on the Peer Support website if they are unable to call.
Questions about the Peer Support Line can be sent to psl@msu.mcmaster.ca or on Twitter @msu_peersupport.
