Definition of a Peer Support Program in the School

Specifically, peer support programs can be defined as peer-to-peer interaction in which

individuals who are of approximately the same age take on a helping role, assisting students who

may share related values, experiences and lifestyles. Peer support programs include activities

such as assistance in one-to-one and group settings, academic/educational help, new student aid

and other diverse activities of an interpersonal helping nature. Trained peers can reach out to

peers one-on-one or co-lead groups such as a support group or mental health club to assist

students in the school who are struggling emotionally or socially. They can offer peer support

and encouragement or a referral to a selected adult helper in the school.

Selection of Students

It’s important to include peer helpers who have overcome some of the same mental health issues

(Walker, 2019). Consider selecting students who represent the social and cultural make up of

your students in the school. Be sure to consider students who have experienced some prior

trouble who can relate to those students who have had some behavior issues. Your peer helpers

should be as diverse as the population of the students you serve. 

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. Peers can help children and adolescents to feel

capable, understood, and responsible. Peers can influence young people in decision-making skills

to help combat negative peer pressure. In addition peers can enable youth to learn action skills to

prevent substance abuse, enhance self-esteem, reduce loneliness, promote health, and support

academic and personal achievement.

Ways Peers Help Their Peers Who are in Crisis?

School counselors are aware that students often communicate more readily to peers than adults.

Peer support programs can enhance the effectiveness of school counseling programs by

increasing outreach and raising student awareness of services. Through proper selection, training

and supervision, peer support can be a positive influence within the school and community. The

key purpose of a peer mental health program is to assist students who are struggling emotionally,

socially, or academically, with support coming from a peer with whom they can

identify. Research indicates peer support programs are helpful when focused on assisting

students with social/emotional or academic problems and disabilities (Logsdon, et al., 2018),

while promoting protective factors (e.g., developmental assets determined by the Search

Institute). Peer support programs can also help create a positive school culture and connectedness

to the school community for both mentors and mentees (Voight & Nation, 2016) as well as safer

schools (Walker, 2019). 

 For this reason, it is important to clarify that peer helpers are not there to tell others how to act

or what to do in a given situation. Also, they do not provide therapy or treatment because,

simply, they do not have the needed knowledge to do that. Instead, peer helpers listen, share their

own experiences, discuss possible consequences of a situation, identify possible solutions, but do

not give advice. In short, they help by becoming a confidant for other peers. 

It is very important to note that if a student threatens to harm themselves or others, shows

psychotic behavior, or reports abuse, then the peer helper must involve the coordinator of the

program immediately. 

Peer helpers roles are determined by the type of training provided as well as school and

community needs.