Utilizing an ecological model as a framework, we analyze the role of peers as connectors between an array of microsystems within a student's post-secondary experience. We examine data from 128 student focus group participants from four colleges and eight universities in Ontario, Canada and conclude that peer interactions, both formal and informal,…

Providing effective support for mental health challenges is one of the most pressing issues on post-secondary campuses today. Throughout Ontario, colleges and universities have made mental wellness a priority. But this has created escalating pressures on institutions whose core mandate is to provide higher education and training. It is time for…

This article examines the impact on peer facilitators in "Stepping Up," a dating violence prevention program at a Canadian university. A focus group held eight months following the delivery of the program determined the personal impact of involvement in the program. Results indicate that peer facilitators experienced personal growth as…

This study explores a student mentoring program called the Wiz Kidz, located within a Canadian urban elementary school of 420 students. The Wiz Kidz participants, their teachers and parents, and a student comparison group provided data on student connectedness to school, peers, and teachers. Overall findings suggest the students involved in the…

Big Brothers Big Sisters Edmonton & Area, in partnership with Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, are providing the High School Teen Mentoring Program, a school-based mentoring program where mentor-mentee matches meet for one hour per week to engage in relationship-building activities at an elementary school. This initiative aims to…

This document presents a guide for developing a peer helpers code of behavior. The first section discusses issues relevant to the trainers. These issues include whether to give a model directly to the group or whether to engender "ownership" of the code by the group; timing of introduction of the code; and addressing the issue of…

Reports results from a study of a training program for adolescent peer counselors. Did not find that groups led by extensively trained peer counselors differed significantly in their verbal interactions from groups led by minimally trained peer counselors. (Author/ABB)

Describes need for and development of a peer counseling program for persons who have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. Discusses selection of peer counselors, training, and confidentiality. Includes discussion of future plans. (ABL)

Many researchers have linked peer counseling skills to skills necessary in acquiring friends. In order to examine the relationship between peer counseling training and friendship, peer counselor trainees' (N=167) expectations of friendship before and after peer counseling training were compared. Peer counselors' expectations of friendship were…

Assessed the usefulness of a microtraining package for developing empathic communication skills of peer counselors (N=16) in a therapeutic community of forensic psychiatric patients. Patients were assigned to the skills (empathy training) group, or the attention group, where they viewed counseling films. The skills group gained greater counseling…

Presents examination of peer helping in 19 colleges and universities. Summarizes research associated with peer helping. Notes educational institutions concerned about meeting the needs of their students, creating positive influences in their development and helping them to be productive in their academic lives can rely on peer programs to achieve…

Describes various health care initiatives at British Columbia secondary school, including substance-abuse-prevention program staffed by prevention counselor who "hangs out" with 25-75 adolescents daily; a peer counseling program called SHOUT (Students Helping Others Understand Troubles), an alternative education approach for students…

An association of families of children with leukemia, the Family Leukemia Association (FLA), was recently established in Toronto. This paper discusses (a) philosophy of the FLA; (b) formative years of this organization; (c) problems encountered by leukemic children and their families; and (d) the FLA's past and future educational and social…

Compared two peer-led and two professionally led counseling groups during a three-day retreat of an adolescent student organization. Found groups led by professional counselors were more therapeutic, risk oriented, and less socially oriented than groups led by peer counselors. (Author/ABL)

Notes that some children emerge from traumatic, abusive experience with a resilience that enables them to survive and to cope with the stress. Contends that these resilient adolescents provide an untapped resource for peer counseling programs. Describes peer counseling and discusses skill development, training, and personal growth associated with…