Support fellow students without them knowing it’s you 🤫
Make a real impact on campus by offering anonymous support to your peers. Join our movement against loneliness and feel the fulfillment of brightening someone’s day.
How Viranda Works
Viranda is a free, anonymous self-expression app that connects two students in a chat—one shares (the “Ventor”), and the other listens (the “Vira”). Once the chat ends, it’s erased like it never happened. Both sides remain anonymous, so no one knows who’s on the other end. It’s a non-crisis way to connect on campus – got something on your mind? Viranda will match you with a Vira ready to listen and lift you up. Want to switch roles? You can apply to be a Vira and empower your fellow students.
Why join as a Vira?
As a Vira, you have the chance to make a real difference in your fellow students’ lives, one chat at a time. You’ll build your empathy skills while being part of a supportive community. It’s simple to get started, and no prior experience is needed!
Make a real impact
- Be a listening ear for other students.
- Help your peers feel heard and understood.
- Improve well-being on campus.
Learn new skills
- Build empathy and active listening skills.
- Improve your communication abilities.
- Strengthen your interpersonal skills.
Be part of a global movment
- Connect with like-minded students.
- Participate in ongoing training and growth.
- Join a community of Change-Makers.
The Scientific Benefits of Listening
- Reduce Stress
- Boost Creativity
- Self-Reflection
- Reduce Burnout
- Social Bonds
- Mental Health
"Being a Vira is truly fulfilling. Knowing I can help someone feel better gives me a real sense of purpose. Plus, the experience has really boosted my empathy and communication skills, which I know will be valuable in my future career."
Psychology student
Ohio State University
"At a time when I felt utterly alone and lost, a Vira was there to listen. His empathy and understanding made me feel valued and heard. I found hope and it was because of the kindness of a stranger. Thank you, Viranda, for giving me the courage to face each day with newfound strength."
User #127
Empower anytime, anywhere, at your convenience.
Flexible Location
Easy To Use
Your Schedule
Empower anytime, anywhere, at your convenience.
With Viranda, you can make a difference right from wherever you’re most comfortable. Empower others on your own time, fitting support into your schedule with no long-term commitment.
Flexible Location
Easy To Use
Your Schedule
Empower others, empower yourself.
Improve empathy and communication skills
Gain feedback for self-improvement
Ongoing training from world-class experts
Real-time support and skill development
Vira FAQ
Viras are not therapists, they’re everyday individuals who excel at listening and showing empathy. They don’t give advice or tell you what to do. Instead, they provide a safe space for you to share your thoughts and find understanding.
Everyone can apply to become a Vira, but it’s important for us to ensure that candidates are suitable for this role. They undergo a short selection process and training to maintain our platform’s standards of empathy, listening, and confidentiality.
No, the amount of time you dedicate is entirely up to you, whether it’s a few hours a week or more. If you can’t converse during this time, that’s perfectly fine. You have complete control over how you contribute, and we value every moment you spend empathically listening to others.
Absolutely! Viranda prioritizes your safety and anonymity. All conversations are anonymous, and your personal information is secure.
Your presence as a Vira is incredibly impactful. It means helping individuals navigate their struggles and offering them a listening ear when they need it most. Your empathy can spark hope and remind someone that they are not alone, wherever they may be, whatever they may be going through. Your kindness matters, and it can change lives.
While formal qualifications are not necessary, we provide comprehensive training to all Vira. This training equips you with active listening skills, empathy techniques, and guidelines. Our training materials are verified by PhD clinical psychologists.
Due to the sensitive and anonymous nature of Viranda, we cannot disclose the specific content of our conversations. However, here are some general topics from past months:
- Frustration over a difficult group project at school.
- Feeling nervous about an upcoming presentation.
- Wanting to share excitement about a new hobby.
- Annoyance with a roommate’s habits.
- Feeling left out of a group event.
- Being upset about losing a favorite item.
- Needing to talk about a funny or embarrassing moment.
- Feeling overwhelmed with a busy schedule.
- Looking for motivation to stay productive.
- Feeling unappreciated after helping friends or family.
Being a Vira is designed to be enjoyable and uplifting, not to make you feel depressed or overwhelmed. Many Vira find that helping Ventors find relief can be incredibly rewarding. While we are not certified therapists and our role is not to provide professional counseling, listening and being there for someone else often leads to a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Our model focuses on lending an empathic ear, sharing experiences, and creating connections.
Our team of experienced psychotherapists is always available for support and guidance if you encounter particularly challenging situations. Remember, your role is to offer kindness and companionship, and in doing so, you’re positively impacting someone’s life and your own.
Imagine this:
You spend an hour scrolling through social media, liking posts and leaving comments. Now, picture spending that same hour as a Vira—listening to 10 students who, at the start of the conversation, felt like a 5 out of 10, but by the end, feel like a 9 out of 10 because of your support.
Which would leave you feeling more satisfied?
Both take the same amount of time and effort, but the impact you make as a Vira is truly powerful. Spend your time making a real difference. Join Viranda and experience the power of your listening.
"Being a Vira has been such a rewarding part of my time. Listening to others not only gives me the chance to make a difference, but it’s also helped me build the kind of empathy and communication skills that are crucial in social work. It’s amazing how much you can grow while helping others."
Social work student
Fordham University
