MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — At Middle Tennessee State University, a new peer group is creating a place where students can talk about recovery, stress, mental health and the challenges of navigating college.

True Blue Peers 4 Success will kick off the academic year with its first meeting set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Room 224 of the Student Union Building, 1768 MTSU Blvd.

“We want to provide a place where MTSU students can connect, destress and support each other through college life. No judgment, just community,” explained Kristi Stringer, assistant professor of public health and faculty sponsor.

Sponsored by Rutherford County-based nonprofit Prevention Coalition for Success, True Blue Peers 4 Success is funded through a grant from the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council.

“The kickoff meeting is to raise awareness for True Blue Peers 4 Success and talk to students about how we can best help them. We will give an overview of the program and talk to students about what they would like to see from us,” explained Morgan Verdeck, prevention coordinator for Prevention Coalition for Success.

Part of Tennessee’s Collegiate Recovery Initiative, the group is built around recovery in its broadest sense by helping students focus on overall wellness while creating a space where students can have an understanding place to vent about life’s struggles.

The group will not operate as an official Alcoholics Anonymous-style 12-step program, although there are goals to grow the program enough to implement those type of meetings as the need arises.

“Currently, we’ll just meet and talk about whatever needs to be talked about by students on meeting day. We will also focus on anonymity as much as we can,” Verdeck said. “Anyone who wishes to attend is invited to participate. We will never turn anyone away.”

Although the meetings will be perfect places to gab, there will also be regular hands-on activities, from coloring pages and crafts to snacks and even an occasional visit from a fluffy recovery dog.

“The purpose of regular meetings is to create a space where students can go if they are struggling with anything and offer a safe space with people who may be going through similar things,” Verdeck said. “We aim to create a community of support and a space where students can feel safe.”

After the initial meeting on Wednesday, True Blue Peers 4 Success will have regular meetings on the first and third Thursdays each month in Room 112 of Ellington Human Sciences Building, 2623 Middle Tennessee Blvd.

To learn more and keep up with events, visit pc4s.org/true-blue-peers-4-success.

— Nancy DeGennaro ([email protected])