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Peer as social support: a practitioner's approach to developing a school-based peer helper program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Gloria Douglas
Gloria Douglas*
Affiliation:
St. Leonard's College, Victoria
*
St. Leonard's College, 163 South Road, East Brighton Vic 3197
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Abstract

It has been observed that young people seek peer assistance before approaching adult counsellors for help. A program where older students were trained to provide “helping friend” support for others was developed. Senior students received skills training in basic counselling, adolescent coping, conflict resolution, and group facilitation. The program was designed to tap into the natural helping behaviours of adolescents, the resourcefulness adolescents display in providing support for each other, and the influence which the peer group has during adolescence. This paper describes the process taken in program development and implementation. This included a review of research into adolescent concerns, resources they access, and factors which contribute to coping, personal effectiveness and resiliency. An evaluation of the specific needs of the school community is also outlined.

Type
Field Reports
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 8 , November 1998 , pp. 69 - 90
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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