Question 1

How Can I Sign Up to TalkCampus?

Accepted Answer

To join TalkCampus, you will need to use your University or college email address. This is so the platform can verify that you are a student.    Then simply follow the steps below:
 1. Search 'TalkCampus' in the Google Play or App Store and download the free mobile app.
 2. You will be guided through the easy sign up process and invited to read and agreed to the Community Guidelines and other policies.
 3. Read through everything carefully, taking your time to understand the platform and how to get the most out of it.

Question 2

Why Do I Have To Use My University Email Address?

Accepted Answer

The reason we ask you to use your official University or college email address is for one purpose only: authentication and verification of your student status. TalkCampus is a network exclusively for students and using your University or college email address is the most reliable way to make sure no one else can gain access to the platform. This means it remains a safe space for the community it is intended for. 
 Please be reassured that TalkCampus is a confidential third party support service where your identity is protected. TalkCampus will not share personal identifying details or interactions of those using the platform, either with the University or any other third parties.

Question 3

I Need Urgent Support, What Can I Do?

Accepted Answer

If you believe your life or the life of someone you know is in danger and are in need of urgent help, please see Additional Resources where there is more information and links to global crisis support centres around the world.

Question 4

What Is ‘Peer Support’?

Accepted Answer

It is informal support shared between peers rather than professionals.

Question 5

Do You Collect Any Data and if So, How Do You Use It?

Accepted Answer

Data is collected and used for the purpose of gathering insights on how the platform is being used. Your TalkCampus data is de-identified, and never shared with third parties or advertisers. We encourage you to learn more about how we use your data through our privacy policy which can be found here.

Question 6

Is My Privacy Protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Please find the TalkCampus Privacy Policy here.

Question 7

How ‘Anonymous’ and ‘Confidential’ Is TalkCampus?

Accepted Answer

The only circumstance under which anonymity may be broken is if a student expresses explicit intent to harm oneself or others. If this is the case, we will reach out to you and support you to contact relevant places for you to get help. We will also be in touch with your University or College to make them aware if they have agreed that they would like us to do this.

Question 8

What Can TalkCampus Do?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus is an online peer support community and not a clinical, counselling or therapy service. It cannot diagnose or treat users and does not provide advice or professional support. If you are worried about your own mental or physical health or someone else’s please seek professional help from a doctor or qualified health practitioner.
 You are responsible for what you say on the platform, any advice you take, and what you do outside of TalkCampus. 
 TalkCampus is not a crisis support service and cannot support users who are suicidal. If someone is in need of immediate support, they are urged to contact the emergency services or one of the resources listed in the help centre.
 We are unable to provide crisis support through TalkCampus. As such the platform does not allow posts that actively discuss suicide attempts or methodologies. TalkCampus prominently provide resources on where to seek crisis support help in our ‘I need help’ section in app. They also provide pop up signposting to users when they have drafted content that suggests they’re in crisis.

Question 9

How Is TalkCampus Monitored and by Whom?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus Administrators  TalkCampus has a global safety team working around the clock to remove inappropriate content, and users within seconds. Administrators are professional staff trained in moderation and safeguarding. Administrators review flagged content and content removed by the Moderators and have oversight of the platform 24/7. Administrators can also suspend and ban users.

Moderators   A Moderator is a TalkLife volunteer who has gone through a thorough recruitment, training and assessment process to be able to remove content on TalkLife. Moderators remove content that is against the TalkLife Community Guidelines. Everything that is removed by a Moderator is reviewed by an Administrator. Moderators are members of the TalkLife community that want to give back and support others.

TalkCampus buddies/trained volunteers 
A Buddy is a volunteer from the TalkCampus community who wants to give back and support others. TalkCampus volunteers go through training and assessment and learn how to support others online including active listening, conveying empathy and self-care. Buddies are there to welcome you in the community and support you as you work through the ups and downs of life.

TalkLife Clarity AI   TalkCampus is monitored by the TalkLife Clartiy AI and moderation engine. TalkLife Clarity uses machine learning models to classify content shared on TalkCampus in order to facilitate faster support and provide additional moderation when needed.
TalkCampus is monitored by the TalkLife Clartiy AI and moderation engine. TalkLife Clarity uses machine learning models to classify content shared on TalkCampus in order to facilitate faster support and provide additional moderation when needed.

Question 10

What makes TalkCampus safe to use?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus has a number of mechanisms that make it safe to use, including tools for anonymously reporting bullying and inappropriate or concerning posts. These alert administrators and moderators take appropriate action to review and resolve any issues raised.

Question 11

How Do I Become a TalkCampus Buddy?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus trains a small number of students as community peer supporters and provides an online training programme to equip you with skills around how to support someone online including active listening, conveying empathy, self-care and supporting someone who is at risk.
 As a TalkCampus peer supporter you will be identified in the community via a badge as someone who has undergone training to be able to support others. 
 We know that student life is busy so we don't require specific shifts or a set amount of time to volunteer, we just ask that you are an active member of the community and support when you can.
 Register your interest here if you would like to become a trained volunteer.

Question 12

What Language Should I Write In?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus is primarily an English speaking network, however, our TalkLife volunteers can support you across 25 languages including Swedish, Dutch, Arabic, German, Russian, Slovak, Czech, Polish, Hindi, Korean, Odia, Bengali, Urdu, Spanish, Tswana, Afrikaans, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Greek & Portuguese.

Question 13

What’s the Difference Between TalkCampus & TalkLife?

Accepted Answer

TalkLife Ltd is the company that manages and operates the TalkCampus network, to which TalkCampus university and college students have exclusive access to.    The company also runs another network called TalkLife which is a non-student specific network and is available for all to use.

Question 14

I’m Having Issues With My Account or Need Tech Support

Accepted Answer

Please email us on support@talklife.co.

Question 15

What is TalkCampus?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus is an app based peer support platform where students come together from around the world and give and get support within a safe, supportive infrastructure.

Question 16

How Will Our Students Access TalkCampus?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus can be downloaded from the app stores. Once you have TalkCampus at your university your entire student body will have instant, ongoing access to the app.

Question 17

Will TalkCampus Be Branded Specifically for My Institution?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus will be specifically customised for your students with all of your student services embedded within the application. Your students will be able to talk with students all around the globe whilst having support options specific to their needs and place of study.

Question 18

Is TalkCampus a Crisis Support Service?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus supports students to discuss difficult feelings however we have strict community guidelines to ensure this is done safely. If a student is at risk of harm we escalate them in real time to support, including informing their place of study via a customisable escalation pathway.

Question 19

How Is the Platform Kept Safe?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus combines unique machine learning classifiers with professional staff to provide real time escalation and moderation at massive scale. We identify within milliseconds whether a student is at risk and use this information to provide timely, relevant support.

Question 20

Does Peer Support Work?

Accepted Answer

The benefits of peer support are wide-ranging and well evidenced. Peer support can be an effective mechanism to support people with anxiety, depression, addiction and many other mental health issues. Participating in peer to peer support has been linked to: an increased ability to cope, a greater sense of wellbeing & resilience, higher levels of self-esteem and confidence.   Since using our platforms:    * 78% of users find it easier to ask for help * 77% say their relationships have improved * 72% feel more understood

Question 21

Can Your Service Support Students Overseas?

Accepted Answer

Yes! TalkCampus is a global app for students from all over the world. We can support your entire student population wherever they are. TalkCampus works well for students who are studying overseas as they can often feel isolated and struggle being away from home.

Question 22

Does TalkCampus Support Mature Students?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many of our students are mature students, studying remotely or studying part time. TalkCampus is a great way to help people feel connected to their place of study and foster communities. The fact that TalkCampus is accessed via phone and is available round the clock can also help students juggling busy lives.

Question 23

Can Other People Use TalkCampus?

Accepted Answer

No. TalkCampus has been built from the ground up solely for students. We don’t feel that it is safe for students to be engaging with other demographics. Students are required to sign in and verify their student status before using the app.

Question 24

Are There Professional Staff on the Platform?

Accepted Answer

TalkCampus is based on peer support with students supporting students. However, TalkCampus is safeguarded by our professional team who are constantly monitoring the platform.

Question 25

What if My Students Are Online in the Middle of the Night, Will There Be Someone There?

Accepted Answer

Yes! TalkCampus has users located all over the world, across multiple time zones so there will always be someone online ready to connect with your students. Additionally, our global safety team are working around the clock and will be available to intervene in real-time if a student is struggling.

Question 26

What Reporting Do You Provide and When?

Accepted Answer

We know how important reporting is and we offer extensive de-identified quarterly reporting across both engagement and sentiment on the platform, benchmarking your students against the community as a whole and providing you with valuable feedback. We also provide real time incident reporting.

Question 27

Will This Put Additional Pressure on Our Counsellors or Student Services?

Accepted Answer

In our experience, TalkCampus takes pressure off existing services providing upstream support for students and ensuring that counselling services are freed up for those that really need them. Our safeguarding and escalation procedures are extremely robust and we work with you to devise reporting and escalation that works for your institution.

Question 28

Can You Tell Me More About the Student Volunteering Programme?

Accepted Answer

This is a fantastic opportunity for your students! Whether as part of their course or as a desire to learn new skills and give something back, students can take part in our online peer support training and become buddies on TalkCampus. This is a flexible, enjoyable programme and a great way for students to give back, volunteer whilst juggling the demands of student life. We teach valuable life skills across active listening, conveying empathy online, boundaries and self care. We offer full training, ongoing support and mentoring as standard.

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