ListenLab

student login
help-seeker login
student registration
help-seeker registration
training curriculum page with modules, that has to be completed in order for student to be able to have chat option
peer support forum page with posts from different students, where students can interact with each other, comment on posts, work on problems
sign in options
student profile page

ListenLab emerged from identifying two groups with complementary unmet needs. On the one hand, many people seeking emotional support turn to platforms like Reddit or social media, where advice is often unqualified, unaccountable, and potentially harmful. On the other hand, psychology and social work students operate in a highly competitive academic environment, yet receive little opportunity to distinguish themselves through real, hands-on listening experience beyond theoretical coursework. We built ListenLab as a peer-based, non-clinical mental health support and training platform that safely connects these two groups. Student listeners must complete six mandatory training modules (active listening, ethics, cultural sensitivity, de-escalation, and crisis awareness) before engaging in conversations, ensuring clear boundaries and harm reduction. Their activity contributes to a structured professional portfolio designed to help them stand out academically (with PDF export planned as a future feature). We built the platform using a modern web stack (React-based frontend, Supabase backend, real-time chat), prioritizing role separation, anonymity, and safety over automation or AI-driven advice. Throughout the project, we learned that designing mental health tools requires defining limits as much as features. Our main challenge was balancing accessibility with responsibility—ensuring ListenLab does not replace professional care, but instead offers a safe first step that benefits both help-seekers and future mental health professionals.