Peer Helping programs have increased dramatically over the last fifteen years. Peer Programs now exist in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, agencies, corporations, and senior citizen organizations. Although a variety of terms are used to describe peer work such as peer tutoring, peer facilitation, peer counselling, peer support, and peer education, the term, peer helping has gained acceptance as a way of summarizing a variety of peer programs.
What are the Benefits of Peer Helping?
Peer Helping assists children and adolescents to feel capable, understood, and responsible. Peer helping teaches young people decision-making skills to understand others and be understood. In addition peer helping enables youth to learn action skills to prevent substance abuse, enhance self-esteem, reduce loneliness, promote health, and support academic and personal achievement.
Peer Helping also contributes to the climate of care and respect needed by educational institutions and community organizations to reduce violence, vandalism, truancy and school dropouts. Peer Helping is also a way for communities to demonstrate the value of service to others. By establishing a Peer Program, schools and community organizations teach children and adolescents how to help, not hurt, others.
What is Peer Helping?
Peer Helping is based on the fact that youth often seek out their peers when they are experiencing some frustration, worry or concern. Children and adolescents want to help each other, yet they often do not know how or what to do. Peer Helpers are trained and supervised to provide any or all of the following:
Listening and understanding;
Friendship and support;
Decision making assistance;
Tutoring and academic help;
Educational, career, and health information;
Role modelling for younger children;
Mediation and conflict resolution;
Problem-solving assistance; and
Referral to professionals.
How Do Peer Helpers Help?
Peer Helpers roles are determined by the type of training provided as well as school and community needs. Some typical assignments include working as:
Peer Tutors: helping students with academic and social skills learning;
Buddies: helping younger or new students make transitions into a new school;
Orientation Guides: helping students from other schools or helping persons new to the community;
Discussion Leaders: assisting with topics of concern to other children and adolescents:
Career Assistants: helping with career choices and resources;
Special Project Assistants: designing and coordinating services and projects of benefit to others in the community;
Academic Assistants: helping students set goals, consider options and plan actions:
Referral Agents: helping youth get connected to appropriate specialists;
Peer Counsellors: helping others sort-out concerns, brainstorm ideas, and provide practical help;
Conflict Mediators: assisting others to resolve disputes;
Peer Educators: assisting others in learning and using important health and social information;
Role Models: helping others learn appropriate behaviours;
Outreach Workers: reaching out or acting as a “door opener” to the troubled or lonely.
For more information about starting a peer helping program in your school/community, contact Christine MacKay, National Level II Trainer and Peer Program Leader Consultant. Phone: 807-474-3578 (home) or 807-625-4912 (work) Email: cmackay@nan.on.ca