Why hEARt?
We believe that hEARt’s strategy of providing peer support through online chat will help combat the crisis on campus. Communicating through online chat, a practice commonly referred to as “chat therapy”, has been proven to help treat depression and anxiety as effectively as in-person therapy, with the added benefit of being right in a user's pocket. Peer support is another evidence-based technique, shown to engage hard-to-reach individuals, reduce hospitalization rates, and decrease substance abuse among users.
hEARt is an outstanding preventative care measure that will be accessible, anonymous, free, and most importantly, localized. Peer supporters will be extensively trained in practices that will well-prepare them for difficult conversations, and they'll be made fully aware of all the resources available at their university so that they are comfortable referring users to the appropriate resources if needed.
Ours is a product that has value in two spaces; first, as a resource for students looking for support for themselves, and second, as a resource for students who are looking for strategies that will help them support their friends. hEARt would be the only product available to offer all these benefits.
hEARt is an outstanding preventative care measure that will be accessible, anonymous, free, and most importantly, localized. Peer supporters will be extensively trained in practices that will well-prepare them for difficult conversations, and they'll be made fully aware of all the resources available at their university so that they are comfortable referring users to the appropriate resources if needed.
Ours is a product that has value in two spaces; first, as a resource for students looking for support for themselves, and second, as a resource for students who are looking for strategies that will help them support their friends. hEARt would be the only product available to offer all these benefits.