SPILL: Supporting Peers In Laidback Listening

 
College can be tough when you have to deal with increasingly important decisions, relationships that make and break us, and the perpetual amounts of assignments, labs, and exams. Sure, there are people like your friends, RA, advisor, and peer-counselors whom you can talk with, but they don’t have to be your only options!  
 
Have no fear; SPILL is here. An anonymous online peer-support program, SPILL stands for Supporting Peers In Laidback Listening. It exists on several campuses around the country and was established at Cal only a year ago
 
Here’s how it works:
When you have something you want to vent about or are seeking advice, visit the SPILL website and find Berkeley’s chapter. Then, “spill:” pour out your thoughts and emotions onto the keyboard. Next, submit your spill and you’re all done! Within 24 hours, you will receive emails notifying you that your anonymous spill has been received and will receive an anonymous response.
 
Throughout the 24 hours, you will receive about four to seven replies from different SPILL supporters. These supporters are your peers and have been trained to give thorough, thoughtful, and honest responses in a secure environment to protect your privacy.
 
“Although there are many resources that provide peer-counseling, this service is tailored for the average college student,” said Pedro Aguilar, a second year Mathematics major. “Where else could you anonymously vent to people interested in listening to you at 3 in the morning?”
 
“I love how it’s completely anonymous so no one has to feel like they’re being judged when they ‘spill’ a problem, worry, or anything that is on their mind,” said third year Cognitive Science major, Sydney Mayes.
 
Aguilar and Mayes are both returning SPILL Supporters, the peers who provide the anonymous feedback.
 
“When I read the description of a SPILL supporter’s responsibilities, I knew immediately that it was for me,” said Aguilar. “There have been times when such a service would have helped me, so I wanted to be part of that.”
 
Being involved with SPILL is relaxed, yet very organized.  Along with being required to respond to spills within 24 hours, the club holds workshops and socials several times each month. Supporters are only asked to dedicate 3 hours per semester to the workshops or tabling on Sproul.
 
“The student supporters in the club have lots of fun getting to know each other,” said Mayes. “The officers are all incredibly friendly and welcoming and it’s always so much fun to get to know other supporters through their events.”
 
This semester, both Aguilar and Mayes are interns for the SPILL executive board. After joining last semester, Mayes realized how comfortable and helpful she felt being a part of the club.
 
“It was really by chance that I learned about SPILL. Someone handed me a flyer on Sproul and the idea sounded interesting to me at first glance so I decided to attend a training session,” she said. “Now, it’s become something I definitely want more people to know about. I decided to become an intern because I wanted to get more involved; I hope to help with publicity and to get other schools to establish the club on their campuses.”
 
The program so far has proved successful on our campus with very positive testimonials on the website and through word-of-mouth. As a SPILL supporter myself, I have already submitted one “spill” and received quite a few this semester to answer. The feedback I received and wrote made me feel confident and significant.  Spill assures us that we are not alone with our problems and that there are people there for us willing to help. It is definitely something everyone should try, whether one wants to spill, or support.
 
“This service is for any Berkeley student,” said Aguilar. “No matter what how different you feel your background is, how small or large the problem is, or how long-winded you may feel, people will listen.”
 
To spill, click here
To get involved, email berkeley@studentspill.com or info@spillnow.com
 
Get to meet members of SPILL at their screening of “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio! A short discussion will be held after and they will be discussing the movie and its implications about mental health.
 
ALL ARE WELCOME and snacks will be provided :)
 
Date: Wednesday, October 12
Time: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Location: 160 Dwinelle
 
More information can be found at their Facebook Event page