There are several sources of stress at college, but now there is an organization known as SPILL at UW-La Crosse here to help with these frustrations.

Supporting Peers in Laidback Listening (SPILL) is an organization run by students, for students.  It's also anonymous, so there is less pressure on those with questions to ask.

In 2009 a freshman by the name of Jessie Siegler heard of a program that had recently started in Madison from one of her friends back home.  Siegler, along with Drew Henningfield, worked with the SPILL's creator Heidi Allstop to create  SPILL in La Crosse.

Allstop is a recently graduated Psychology major who personally had some issues in her first few semesters at college.  When she finally got the courage to talk to some counselors, she found out that there was a two week waiting list.  She wanted to vent and wondered if there was a way to talk to someone her own age without being identified.  

Since its creation, SPILL has flourished and has been featured in several articles nationally.  There are other SPILL groups in over fourteen campuses, including the University of Florida and the University of California-Berkley.  Most importantly is how SPILL has helped thousands of students since its creation.

In the summer of 2010, Jessie Siegler had to transfer, and the SPILL group at UW-L was in danger of falling apart.  Thankfully, Kyle Slaby, who had originally joined on as the Vice President of Financial Operations in the spring of 2010, took over. The SPILL group in La Crosse already has over seventy members and it is looking to expand even more.

For students wondering how to submit a "Spill," there are five simple steps.  The first step, is figuring out what problem needs  help  answering.  Problems can range anywhere from roommate troubles, body image issues, financial situations and romantic relationships.  No matter what the problem,  someone is there to give a helpful reply.

The next step is Spilling about your problems at spillnow.com.  The great part about the process is that it is completely anonymous.  No one has to feel embarrassed about talking about their issues.  Once this is done, the Spill is screened and someone with either personal or secondhand experience on the subject is selected to answer it.

Once this happens, the trained Student Supporter responds within twenty-four hours.  This response will give the anonymous Student Spiller empathetic feedback, encouragement and resources that are available to them around campus or in the community.  The reply is screened so that no detrimental feedback is given to the Student Spiller.  In the end, the organization hopes  that the Student Spiller receives helpful responses and that they feel better as a result.

SPILL is always looking for more Student Supporters.  For more information you can visit the main SPILL website, spillnow.com.  UW-L's SPILL group also has a Facebook page and they are also on UW-L's MyOrgs.  Simply go to uwlmyorgs.collegiatelink.net and search for "Supporting Peers in Laid-back Listening" under "Organizations."