Our Peer Support Offerings
The Longhorn SHARE Project offers a wide range of peer-led support groups, individual peer support opportunities, and other activities facilitated by trained SHARE Support Specialists and program staff.
Unless otherwise indicated, opportunities are open to all UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students.
Five Ways to Connect with SHARE Peer Support
SHARE Communities
SHARE Communities are informal, non-clinical peer support and connection spaces where students with can find validation, learn from each other’s experiences, exchange support and resources, and engage in conversation and other activities depending on the particular focus of the Community. Community topics are chosen by the peer co-facilitators based on their own interests, identities, or mental health concerns.
Individual Drop-In Support
Students may meet with a SHARE Support Specialist of their choice on a drop-in basis in locations around campus for individual support. Our Support Specialists are not licensed counselors, but as fellow students they are uniquely equipped to provide validation around similar experiences and empower peers with relevant information and resources. SHARE Support Specialists have over a semester of training in active/reflective listening and supportive communication skills.
SHARE Circles
SHARE Circles are a peer-facilitated group storytelling and connection experience that can be requested for classes, student organizations, residence hall communities, and others. Circles are great for building community, empathy, and understanding among participants, with a turn-taking structure that ensures everyone’s voices are heard.
Learn More About SHARE Circles
Other Offerings by Request
Post-Trauma Support & Standby Peer Support for Events
In response to a campus loss or tragedy, trained SHARE Support Specialists may be called upon to accompany clinicians from the Counseling and Mental Health Center at post-trauma community processing events. Their role is to hold informal, nonjudgmental, and compassionate space for peers who wish to attend these events but who, for whatever reason, would rather sit with a fellow student than a clinician. Questions about post-trauma response should be directed to staff in the CMHC.
In addition to the above, staff and students may request SHARE Support Specialists to provide standby support during campus events or meetings containing potentially difficult or sensitive content. During these events, Support Specialists introduce themselves to the group and then wait outside the event location to talk with students who become overwhelmed, want to process their emotions in a nonjudgmental space, or need help connecting to other mental health resources.
Please note that while we will do our best to accommodate all requests, availability depends on the current SHARE Support Specialists’ schedules and therefore cannot be guaranteed.
Workshop, Training, and Presentation Requests
The Longhorn SHARE Project can facilitate workshops for faculty, staff and students on authentic social connection, supportive community-building, active listening, and more. Content can be tailored to the needs of your audience.
Email Project Coordinator Adrian Lancaster with requests or ideas: longhornshareproject@utexas.edu.
