Evaluates the effectiveness of one-year participation in a program of volunteer-facilitated peer support groups conducted in a southwest Texas high school. Results of program evaluation by participants (N=118) indicate that the program was highly accepted even though two-thirds of the students had initially felt uncomfortable in the group.…

Describes a pilot mediation program that offers an empowering alternative to problem resolution used by mental health consumers receiving treatment at an inpatient psychiatric center. The training program uses mental health clinicians and consumers (peer advocates) to act as assistants in mediating disputes between consumers and between consumers…

Individual interviews to solicit secondary school pupils' (N=99) views of the peer counselling for bullying service in their own school, with a focus on the issue of social support for bullying-related problems, were conducted. Three themes were addressed: (1) willingness to use the service relative to other potential sources of support, (2)…

Tobacco smoking is responsible for approximately 434,000 deaths per year in the United States (Fact Sheet, 1993). College students represent a large portion of the smoking public. Roughly 70% of college students have tried smoking (Everett & Husten, 1999). There are various methods available to assist in smoking cessation, some being, nicotine…

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have become a serious health threat to university students. This study evaluated a peer-led intervention program with university students to increase knowledge and attitudes of HIV/AIDS infection and transmission. Subjects were students (n=41) from an undergraduate…

Peer counselors are individuals who have been trained in communication skills and who have learned how to apply these skills in helping another person. This booklet was written by a peer counselor and peer counseling teacher to fill a frequently expressed need for a quick, easy-to-read reference. Its purpose is to make available to peer counselors…

Although anecdotal evidence supports the usefulness of peer helper programs and related training, there is little published quantitative data on the effectiveness of peer helper training. The purpose of the present study was (1) to examine whether or not training for a peer helper program provided student mediators with the essential skills needed…

Mediation training should produce highly successful mediators who are capable of carrying out smooth and effective mediation. This study assessed subjects' perceptions of the effectiveness of mediation by comparing trained team mediators to untrained team mediators. Subjects (N=30) evaluated videotaped mediation vignettes showing both the trained…

This guide was designed to encourage and assist groups to incorporate youth into their alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs. It provides a step-by-step approach to planning and implementing a program in which young people make a significant contribution to reducing or preventing alcohol and other drug use among youth in…

This book provides a sequence of organized training sessions and activities designed to prepare students for such helping roles as student assistant, tutor, special friend, and small group leader. The first of the handbook's seven chapters provides an introduction to friendly helpers, describes helping characteristics, and presents an overview of…

This manual is a guide for the adult learner who is developing and maintaining a peer counselor program. The first chapter presents an overview of peer counseling. The second chapter describes a model for a high school peer counseling program. Training, placements and programs, and a typical week's schedule are included. The third chapter presents…

Training and implementation materials for the peer helping program Partners for Change are presented in this book. Section 1 presents information on program development, including planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation units. Section 2 includes the basic format for teaching the essential communication, group building, and tutorial…

Little research has been conducted in an effort to clarify the legal ramifications involved in the support services a guidance department may offer in a typical high school. Of particular interest are the liabilities to which counselors, principals, and other school personnel might be subjected in guidance departments having peer assistance…

In many respects ex-offenders can be seen as "socially disabled" persons, subject to the same treatment as other minority groups. Both counselors and clients must work to overcome barriers in the counseling relationship. Certain affirmative approaches are discussed, including self-help groups, peer counseling, and the use of paraprofessionals.…

This article describes two mental health programs which are staffed by student trained volunteers. One of these is a student-run hot line which provides information and referrals to community services. Another program has high school students teaching elementary school children the properties and effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. (SJL)