WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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During the spring semester, college students remained physically isolated from friends, classmates and professors. However, one student at Indiana University saw an opportunity to connect others in a time of social isolation.
Evan Catron is a student at Indiana University who started a Google form to match people with similar interests who are stuck at home longing for a social life.
“I really struggled with that,” said Catron, “just being alone.”
That struggle left him depressed. Catron said there were some days he didn’t leave his bed or even shower.
While living in isolation in his campus apartment, Catron had an idea. He said he realized there were other people like him in the same situation.
That idea led to the early stages of Quarantine Buddies – a service launched in March. Although Catron never predicted the service to receive much attention, hundreds of people have signed up. He received a significant amount of media coverage and even captured an audience outside the U.S.
“As of this morning, there are 650 people signed up,” he said, “several countries and 30 different states.”
Social life has always been an integral part of the college experience. Catron said not being able to see his friends in quarantine was difficult.
“It was crazy, because I went from seeing thousands of people a day on campus to sitting at my desk in my room every single day, not having any contact whatsoever with anyone,” he said.
Catron touched on specific examples of people he’s matched. He told me the experience gave him motivation again. All in all, he says matching two people who are struggling in a time of social isolation was a gratifying experience.
“Some mothers I’ve matched say they have kids in college,” he said, “it’s so exciting to make a match especially in those situations where you know they need each other.”
Catron hopes that for people using the service, knowing they have someone there for them, will help them with the mental health repercussions of social isolation.
“Being able to vent about issues, share different things that worked for them – just having someone to fall back on,” said Catron.
Catron said the easiest way to sign up for the service is through his Facebook page, Quarantine Buddies. Also, he says you can search tinylink.com/qbuddies.
Evan Catron says he loves doing this. He said it’s like a puzzle, fitting two people together.
“Quarantine or not, everybody needs someone,” he said.
Even after quarantine, Evan said he would love to continue pairing people.
Monroe County Health Department advises to use technology to connect with others frequently and look for the good stuff: the helpers, time with family, and opportunities to pull together.
We want to make you aware of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can reach the suicide prevetnion lifeline by calling (800)-273-8255.
