Peer Support at the UCC

Peer Support Spaces

Ready to connect with others and build your support network at Pitt? The University Counseling Center is teaming up with campus partners to offer Peer Support Spaces for Pitt students! These monthly gatherings are all about creating new friendships, sharing experiences, and discussing important topics with other students at Pitt who get where you're coming from. Each session has a fresh theme or topic, so there's always something new to dive into! 

No need to sign up ahead of time—just show up and join the conversation! If you would like to receive updates and meeting reminders via email, please click here! 

Please see below for information on current Peer Support Spaces being offered. 

It is important to note that Peer Support Spaces are not mental health treatment or counseling. If you are interested in engaging in mental health counseling at the UCC, please utilize UCC Drop-In Hours by calling 412-648-7930, Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.

Attend a Peer Support Space

This Peer Support Space is open to all adopted students who want to talk about their experiences, identity, and everything in between. Whether it’s navigating family dynamics or just finding others who understand, this is your space to feel seen and supported.

 

spring 2025 - Meeting Dates and Locations:

  • Wednesday, January 29th, 4-5pm: WPU – Kimbo Conference Room
  • Wednesday, February 26th, 4-5pm: WPU – Kimbo Conference Room
  • Wednesday, March 26th, 4-5pm: WPU – Room 542
  • Wednesday, April 23rd, 4-5pm: WPU – Kimbo Conference Room

The BIPOC Peer Support Space is open to all BIPOC students who want to connect, reflect, and grow together. Whether you're navigating campus life, cultural challenges, or just want a space to feel seen, we’ve got you!

 

Spring 2025 - Meeting Dates & Locations

  • Wednesday, February 12th from 3:30-4:30 pm: William Pitt Union – 310
  • Wednesday, March 12th from 3:30-4:30 pm: William Pitt Union – 310
  • Wednesday, April 9th from 3:30-4:30 pm: William Pitt Union – 310

The Collegiate Recovery Peer Support Space is here for any Pitt student wanting to connect, share, and find understanding. Whether you’re in recovery or just need a place to reflect, we’re all about supporting each other on the journey.

 

SPRING 2025 - Meeting Dates & Locations:

  • Friday, February 14th from 3:30-4:30pm: Wellness Center – Room 204
  • Friday, March 14th from 3:30-4:30pm: Wellness Center – Room 204
  • Friday, April 11th from 3:30-4:30pm: Wellness Center – Room 204

This virtual Peer Support Space is here for all students with disabilities, offering a chill place to talk about challenges, find resources, and groove your way to a stronger support network. Whether you're navigating campus accessibility or just want to be heard, we've got you covered!

SPRING 2025 - Meeting Dates and Zoom Information:

This space is open to all international students looking to connect, share experiences, and find support. Whether it’s culture shock, adjusting to campus, or just needing a safe place to talk, this is your space to be heard and understood.

 

SPRING 2025 - Meeting Dates and Locations:

  • Thursday, February 13th from 4-5 pm: William Pitt Union – 310
  • Thursday, March 13th from 4-5 pm: William Pitt Union – 310
  • Thursday, April 10th from 4-5 pm: William Pitt Union – 310

This Peer Support Space is open to all LGBTQIA+ students looking for a safe, welcoming place to be real and support each other. Whether you’re navigating identity, campus life, or just need a space to breathe and be heard, we’ve got you!

 

SPRING 2025 - Meeting Dates & Locations:

  • Wed, Feb 5, 2025: 10-11 am, William Pitt Union – 540
  • Wed, Mar 10, 2025: 10-11 am, William Pitt Union – 310
  • Wed, Apr 2, 2025: 10-11 am, William Pitt Union – 310

What is the difference between a Peer Support SPACE and Group Counseling?

At the University Counseling Center, counseling groups are led by UCC clinicians who support students to improve skills and create change in a group setting. UCC Groups are “closed”, meaning students are screened prior to attending groups to ensure the group best meets their needs. Additionally, students who participate in a counseling group commit to attending weekly sessions throughout one semester. Groups are considered a form of mental health treatment and focus on helping students with specific mental health-related concerns, such as anxiety and grief. Group counseling is structured and typically utilizes a specific treatment modality, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Peer Support Spaces are an open space for students to: connect and build new relationships; conversate and socialize with like-minded peers; and offer and receive support around shared experiences. While a UCC Clinician is present in the space, there is no “expert” in the space; instead, students benefit from the collected wisdom of the group when seeking support and/or help problem-solving. Additionally, students participating in a Peer Support Space are invited to identify discussion topics that feel most relevant. Student interested in participating in a Peer Support Space do not need to engage in a screening process prior to participating and are free to attend as much or as little as they’d like throughout their time at Pitt. Peer Support Spaces are not a form of mental health treatment and participants are not considered clients of the UCC.

Online Peer Support – Togetherall

All Pitt students can access Togetherall, a free and anonymous peer-to-peer online community specifically for mental health and well-being concerns. Togetherall is available 24/7 and is monitored by trained clinicians.

Whether you’re feeling down, struggling to navigate stressors or just need a safe place to share your feelings, the Togetherall community can help you connect with others that have similar experiences and learn to better manage your mental health. Visit the Togetherall website to sign up.