Faculty Affiliate Sarah Gaither, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Duke University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, was recently featured in the Duke Psychiatry blog for her role as co-author of a new study on peer support programs in higher education.
The study, published in the Journal of American College Health, provides the most comprehensive look to date at peer mental health support programs on U.S. college campuses. Researchers identified 171 active programs at 126 colleges and universities, many of which extend services beyond traditional counseling center hours to help meet growing student needs. Findings reveal significant variation in training standards, program scope, and institutional support—raising questions about consistency and sustainability.
Dr. Gaither emphasized the value of peer texting programs like DukeLine in making mental health resources more accessible, especially for students from marginalized backgrounds where stigma may otherwise prevent help-seeking.
Read the Blog here: Study Shows More Colleges Are Embracing Peer Support — Just Not in the Same Way