Need to talk? Call a Buckeye PAL
The Buckeye Peer Access Line, also known as PAL, is a non-emergency talk line for Ohio State students that operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight when classes are in session. Buckeye PAL provides a space for students to engage in brief conversations in order to gain support and learn about resources here on campus.
Two years ago, sophomore roommates Carmen Grenier and Emily Kearny decided that something at Ohio State needed to change. The university had been faced with student tragedies and they decided to take matters into her own hands. Through research, student interviews and talking with their parents, the pair realized Ohio State was missing a crucial resource. A warm line.
A warm line is a resource that students can call into when they need someone to talk to. It’s a space where students can speak freely, get things off their chest and talk when they feel as though they have no one to turn to. PAL serves as a bridge between students and all the support resources on campus.
With this in mind, Carmen and Emily began to work to bring an access line to Ohio State. Flash forward two years, and the Buckeye Peer Access Line is up and running. While the program is still in its early stages, they aim to tailor the program in the future through data collection and suggestions from students.
Day to day, dozens of students across campus head to the call center to listen to students in need. Each volunteer is incredibly passionate about mental health and providing support, and the volunteers themselves have become a community. For Tamaghna Hazra, a student volunteer and PhD student, participating in PAL has given him skills that he will keep far beyond graduation.
“As Buckeye PALs together, we undergo a few dozen hours of training in active listening, multiculturalism, identities and motivational interviewing, so that we’re better equipped to help our callers. I think these are no less important skills than anything else we learn at Ohio State. I am sharpening an invaluable life skill: the ability to leave someone feeling heard, understood and validated in a brief encounter.”
For Emily and Carmen, getting to serve as Student Managers has been a rewarding experience. They’re planning outreach events to get the word out on campus, handling logistics, overseeing the night shift volunteer and getting volunteers involved in outreach. Through serving as Student Managers, they have gained insight into a vast community on campus and are always there for people in need.
“It is so rewarding to speak to other students at Ohio State and to hear their experiences, as well as to get to be the person who helps students find the help they need.”
The Buckeye Peer Access Line is here for every student who may need it. Your feelings are not a burden to the PAL — they are waiting for your call! From getting class help to getting connected, the PAL volunteers are equipped with the resources to get you what you need. Whether it be mental health, financial problems, wellness, or just wanting to talk, the PALs are here for you.
For more information, visit the Student Wellness Center website.
