How The University of Notre Dame Is Using Sonder To Support Students Beyond Campus 

The University of Notre Dame Australia has expanded its approach to student wellbeing through the Sonder app, providing students with access to mental health, wellbeing and safety support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Nearly 1,000 students have been actively using the platform since its launch across campuses in 2025, complementing the university’s existing wellbeing services. 

The introduction of Sonder followed feedback that students had mental health support on weekdays from 8:30am-5pm but found it more difficult to access general assistance outside of this.  

“One of Notre Dame’s objects is the provision of an excellent standard of pastoral care for its students. To be able to provide this, we identified that we could not limit student wellbeing support to business hours. We needed to ensure that our students could access support anytime of the day, in any environment,” Notre Dame’s National Manager of Student Wellbeing, Matthew Borgward, said.  

Sonder offers services beyond counselling, including assistance relating to personal safety, health, relationships, financial pressures, and accommodation. 

“It was important to provide students with access to a broader range of support because we recognise that student wellbeing is influenced by much more than mental health alone,” Matthew said. 

For Notre Dame student Josephine Younan (Doctor of Medicine), it took a campus event to change her mind about Sonder. 

Josephine first heard about the platform through the university’s promotion of a wellbeing app but did not download it straight away, assuming it was “just another app that wouldn’t make much of a difference.” 

That changed after a staff member at a campus event explained that Sonder connected students with real people who could check in on them. 

Josephine was surprised by the range of resources available, particularly the safety feature, which she later used when walking alone. After accidentally leaving a safety check activated, she received a phone call from a Sonder team member who wanted to see whether she needed help. 

“I was glad this moment happened because it showed me how quick, proactive and real the people who run the app are. After that day I use the app anytime I am walking alone.” 

She also experienced Sonder’s national coverage while traveling in Victoria, when the platform alerted her to nearby accidents and bushfires. 

As a student at Notre Dame’s Broome campus, Josephine said the app is particularly valuable when living away from family and her usual support networks. 

“Having resources like Sonder available tells me that the university is dedicated to supporting students holistically, rather than just academically.” 

The implementation of Sonder brought Notre Dame, the Student Association of the University of Notre Dame Australia (SAUNDA), the Notre Dame Student Association (NDSA) and Sonder together, with Notre Dame National Student Life Manager, Lauren Moss, saying strong relationships between the groups supported a collaborative effort across the university. 

“We have taken a coordinated approach to promoting Sonder, using student engagement initiatives and events to introduce the platform in relevant and meaningful ways. We have embedded it into broader student engagement, ensuring they see it as a practical and accessible resource,” Lauren said, adding that the platform has also been shared through social media and newsletters. 

“Ultimately, students need to see clear value in the platform for it to become part of their everyday support network.” 

Sonder also aligns with Notre Dame’s commitment to creating a Healthy Campus. 

“Sonder strengthens Notre Dame’s broader Healthy Campus approach by recognising that student wellbeing is central to students feeling connected, engaged and able to thrive. It complements the in-person support provided by Student Life and the Associations,” Lauren said. 

This holistic focus on student wellbeing is reflected in Notre Dame’s decision to make the platform available to its entire student cohort, rather than just specific groups. 

“We had the opportunity to limit access to what can be considered higher risk cohorts such as international students, first years, and students on practicums. This would have been a cheaper alternative; however, we wanted to ensure that our whole student cohort has access to Sonder,” said Matthew.  

He sees digital wellbeing platforms as one part of Notre Dame’s student wellbeing offering. 

“Digital platforms such as Sonder allow us to extend the reach of our wellbeing support beyond the physical campus, while maintaining the important personal connection provided through our existing face-to-face services. Ultimately, it is about giving students choice and ensuring that support is available when and where they need it.”