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not alone
Starting a Not Alone Chapter at Your School
A guide for students, teachers, and counselors · notaloneproject.org/chapters
What is a Not Alone chapter?
A Not Alone chapter is a student-led club that creates low-pressure, anonymous-friendly spaces for students to feel less alone. It’s not a therapy group. It’s not a place to share your problems. It’s a club that says: connection matters, and everyone deserves more of it.
Why it matters
Research from Harvard and Cigna consistently shows that 1 in 2 students experience significant loneliness. Chronic loneliness affects academic performance, physical health, and long-term wellbeing. A Not Alone chapter doesn’t solve loneliness — but it creates visible, safe signals that connection is possible.
Our core principles
Anonymous-first. All chapter activities offer anonymous participation options. No one is ever required to share their name, story, or feelings publicly.
Zero tolerance for judgment. Chapter activities are designed to prevent bullying by removing identifying information and ensuring all submissions are moderated by an adult advisor before sharing.
Student-led, adult-supervised. Every chapter requires one faculty advisor. The advisor does not run the club — they ensure it runs safely.
No mental health credentials required. This club is about community, not counseling. We connect students to real resources when needed.
Sample activities
The Anonymous Wall
Students submit notes finishing the sentence “One thing I wish people knew about me is...” An advisor reviews all notes before they go on a bulletin board. No names. No identifiers.
Connection Cards
Simple cards left around the school: “If you’re sitting alone today and would like company, flip this card over.” Students self-select into conversation without pressure.
Lunch Buddy Program
An opt-in, advisor-managed program that pairs students who want to have lunch with someone new. Sign-up is private. Matches are made by the advisor.
Awareness Week
One week per semester: daily facts about loneliness posted around the school, a film screening, and a “reach out to someone today” challenge.
Anti-bullying design
Every activity is built to prevent misuse. All anonymous submissions are reviewed by a faculty advisor before sharing. No activity ever identifies struggling students to their peers. The club’s purpose is framed around everyone, not “kids who are lonely” — reducing stigma and targeting risk.
What you need to start
One student founder (you). One faculty advisor (a counselor, teacher, or administrator). A room to meet once a month. That’s it.
Time commitment: one meeting per month. One activity per semester minimum.
Ready to start?
Visit notaloneproject.org/chapters to fill out our chapter inquiry form.
Questions? Email chapters@notaloneproject.org