Free 24/7 Access to Peer Mental Health Support
January 22, 2026 10:01 AM

Dear Campus Community,

Faculty and Staff: You are receiving this message so you are aware of the TalkCampus service and can refer students.

Students: Mental health is one of the top concerns we hear students raise when it comes to their academic success and overall sense of belonging at Illinois. We care about our students and strive to offer a variety of mental health support tools in addition to the services offered through the Counseling Center, McKinley Health Center, and Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES). Research shows that students can sometimes feel more comfortable discussing mental health issues with peers; TalkCampus is our new peer support system.

What is TalkCampus?

TalkCampus connects Illinois students with others who understand what they're going through. It is safely monitored, anonymous, and available 24/7 in 26 languages, therefore, support is available whenever they need it.

On TalkCampus, students can share what’s on their mind, chat one-on-one with a trained TalkCampus Buddy, join group conversations, journal, and explore self-guided tools to support their wellbeing. There’s no judgment, just real conversations with other students who have lived experience with common college stressors.

To Use TalkCampus:

Sign up at talkcampus.com/sign-up using an Illinois email and students can start connecting right away on the web or mobile app. If students have questions or need help getting started, call the Counseling Center at 217-333-3704 during business hours.

Sincerely,

John Coleman
Provost

Danita M. Brown Young
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs