Launching TalkCampus
The following guide will help you to launch TalkCampus and let your staff and students know about the service.
Students
In order to let your students know about the service, it's a good idea to use a range of different methods and also to think about different messaging too.
Here, we'll go through three popular ways to communicate TalkCampus to your students but there are lots more to consider too; we have listed some at the bottom of this page for you.
Website
Social media
Students vary in their needs and using a range of different messaging and targeting these groups in different ways will make sure you’re appealing to your entire student body.
Some of your students might not realize they are struggling with their mental health or may just need some support with the ups and downs of life. Others will know where to look for support and may already be in-touch with and use your wellbeing services.
1. Adding TalkCampus to your website and student intranet
Try and mention TalkCampus on both your wellbeing or student support pages and also on your more general pages. TalkCampus is a great resource for any student; having it as a general resource will capture the broader student population.
There are three main places where you might want to mention TalkCampus, you can see some examples of each below.
General university/college homepage or student information page
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Try to include a graphic and download link.
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You can go into more detail about the service on your wellbeing page.
Wellbeing &
student support page
TalkCampus complements your existing support options and is a great place for students to get support whilst waiting for other services, instead of other services, or even alongside other types of support.
Make sure you add it to your toolbox of options!
Counseling services page
Use this as an opportunity to give students a little more information about TalkCampus and how it can support mental health.
It's important to specify that TalkCampus is a peer support platform that is anonymous and for students from all across the globe.
Use your landing page to enable students to learn more and download quickly.
2. Using email to
promote TalkCampus
41% of students currently using TalkCampus found the app via an email from their university or college. Make sure that you use email as part of your strategy to promote TalkCampus.
We have launched a new mental health service called TalkCampus. It’s a free-to-download app where you can talk with other students from around the world if you’re struggling and worried about your mental health. Your student email address will give you free access, just download TalkCampus from the app stores.
TalkCampus is anonymous, it isn’t run by us and we won’t be able to see if you are using it. You also won’t be able to see where other students are from. TalkCampus is based on peer support; you can use it if you need some help yourself or you can go on there and listen and support others.
The platform is safe and moderated and is designed as a place where you can just be yourself and talk about how you’re really feeling. Student life can be tough and we know sometimes you might not want to talk to us about how you’re feeling. TalkCampus isn’t a replacement for counseling or professional support. However, it is a great place to start talking and to make sure that however you’re feeling right now, you’re not alone.
Click here to download example text to use in your email to students.
Out-of-hours email
Another great way to let students know about TalkCampus is to ask the wellbeing, counseling, and other appropriate teams to signpost TalkCampus in their out-of-hours emails or in their email footers. This enables students to find support when they most need it.
Thanks for reaching out to the counseling and wellbeing team.
Unfortunately, you have reached us outside of our operating hours.
We will be back in touch with you as soon as we can. If you are at immediate risk, please call 999.
We also have TalkCampus available to all students, a community to instantly get support for your mental health at any time of day or night.
Download TalkCampus and talk to students going through the exact same struggles you are.
Counseling & Wellbeing team
Example University
3. Using social media
promotion for students
Social media is a quick and easy way to get the message across to your all your students and we have provided graphics for use across all social media platforms.
These can also be shared with your key student societies too for them to share with their communities. It’s great to get students involved in promoting the service - as well as using it!
Using our branding will also quickly inform students that this service is not run by you and is an external, safe space for them to use.
Any of our graphics can
be used on Facebook.
Any of our graphics can
be used on Twitter.
Other ways to promote TalkCampus
There are lots of different ways you can promote TalkCampus. Every university is unique, so think through the best ways for you to capture the attention of your students. This could include:
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Flyers, business cards, posters
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Sharing the TalkCampus blogs in the wellness area of your website
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Adding TalkCampus information to student orientation and induction resources
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Text messaging
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Lectures/Presentations
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Student champions (see below)
Your account manager will be able to support you to develop a communications plan and customize any materials for your students.
Letting staff know about TalkCampus
Just as important as letting students know about TalkCampus is getting staff buy-in and ensuring they know what the service is and how it helps.
This is true for all levels of your institution. Getting the support of your senior team is really important as is making sure that those staff members on the front line know enough to signpost students to the service.
You can find an email template here, but here are the key points you need to communicate with your staff:
TalkCampus has arrived at your campus and is available for your students to use.
The service is anonymous, with professional moderation so students can feel safe.
TalkCampus provides 24/7 peer support for mental health with real-time escalation.
Students can download the TalkCampus app on Google Play or the App Store. They will need to register using their university-provided email address.
Students join a global community and can get support in over 25 languages.
Students can volunteer to train as peer supporters within the platform.
Pre-launch checklist
Website
TalkCampus banner on student website landing page with a link to download TalkCampus
Feature on student wellbeing page with a small description of service and link to download
Social media
Facebook post around launch
Instagram post around launch
Update Facebook cover photo to a TalkCampus image
Student communication
Student email introducing TalkCampus
Add TalkCampus information to student orientation and induction resources
Publish TalkCampus blog on wellbeing website
Signpost to TalkCampus on out-of-hours counseling emails
Staff communication
Introduce TalkCampus to staff using video and TalkCampus letter
Ask the wellbeing team to hold a FAQ session on TalkCampus with the senior leadership team
Student champions
Students have incredibly powerful voices when it comes to promoting services. Involving them in the process can be a great way of getting the message out.
Becoming a TalkCampus student champion will provide students with information, training and resources to let their peers know about the service and to promote health support seeking and coping mechanisms.
Your account manager will support you to recruit student champions from your campus!