What is peer matching?

A 1:1 anonymous text chat with another member who picked similar topics to you. It's for when you want to talk to someone who's in it too, not a professional. Both of you chose to match — that's the consent.

How does it find a match?

You go to the peer page, pick up to 3 topics. We find someone else waiting whose topics overlap with yours (at least one shared). The first waiting person who matches gets paired with you instantly.

If no one's waiting, you go into the queue. You can keep that tab open (we'll notify you when matched) or come back later. If you wait more than an hour, your request expires — just submit again.

Do I see who the other person is?

Only their pseudonym. No real name, no photo, nothing that ties back to their life outside hearMeOut. Same on their side — you appear as your pseudonym.

How long does the chat last?

As long as both of you want. We don't impose a time cap — some chats are 10 minutes, some go longer. Either person can click "End chat" at any time, and that's the end.

Is the chat moderated?

Yes. Every message runs through the same moderation as shares — messages that cross the line (hate speech, harassment, etc.) don't get delivered to your peer. Raw honest expression is fine; targeted harm is not.

If your peer says something that concerns you, end the chat and (optionally) reach out to us via contact so we can review.

What's the feedback after?

A quick 1-5 rating plus optional notes. It helps us match better for next time. Your feedback doesn't go to the person you chatted with — it's just for our team.

Can I chat with the same person again?

Not currently — matches are one-off. This is deliberate: it keeps each conversation focused, and it prevents dependency patterns that professionals are better suited to handle. If you want ongoing support, a counselor session is the right surface.

What if I feel worse after the chat?

That can happen. Vulnerability with strangers isn't always easy. If something's weighing heavy, the crisis resources (every page has them) are a call away, and a counselor session is the next step if you have the capacity for it.