Peer Educators. in Behavioral Health: TIPS from the. Getting Involved on Your Campus. HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health

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1 Peer Educators in Behavioral Health: Getting Involved on Your Campus TIPS from the HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health

2 peer educators Peer educators play an important role on college campuses. As a peer educator you have an opportunity to make a difference on your campus by becoming involved. There are many roles for peer educators such as motivating others, educating peers on behavioral health topics, advocating for services, and supporting fellow students. Currently, there is an identified need to increase the number of peer educators in behavioral health. An analysis of existing peer educator activities on HBCU campuses conducted by the HBCU Center for Excellence (HBCU-CFE) revealed that many HBCUs have peer educator activity on campus. However, the majority of peer educators focus primarily on substance abuse or HIV prevention. Only 33% include a mental health focus. Additionally, several HBCUs have no peer educator programs or peer educators on their campus at all. Thus, there is a need to encourage HBCU students to become involved in peer education in all areas of behavioral health including suicide prevention, recognizing signs of psychological distress, and mental health promotion in general. This is also one way to help address behavioral health disparities. 1

3 College is a time of transition. It can be exciting yet challenging and at times stressful. Many college students report feeling depressed or anxious at some point in time. Some may have experienced anxiety or depression prior to becoming a college student. Yet, many students do not know where to go for help, and stigma may serve as a barrier to treatment. As a peer educator you have an opportunity to help create an informed campus. You will become an important member of a team. You will play a vital role in raising awareness, reducing stigma, identifying resources, and encouraging students to utilize existing services. Training is important along with a willingness to serve and a willingness to allocate time for service. Serving as a peer educator is a rewarding experience. In addition to helping others you are also fostering your own development in numerous ways such as interpersonal skills, listening skills, and leadership skills. 2

4 In April 2008, the HBCU National Resource Center (HBCU-NRC) for Substance Abuse and Mental Health, located at Morehouse School of Medicine, hosted the first National HBCU Peer Educators Leadership Summit on Suicide Prevention. In August 2011, the HBCU Center for Excellence (HBCU-CFE) in Mental Health and Substance Abuse, also located at Morehouse School of Medicine, hosted a second event, the National HBCU Peer Educators in Behavioral Health Leadership Summit. Both events were well attended and well received. Students were trained on suicide prevention, behavioral health promotion, and leadership skills. Students shared ideas and experiences as peer educators, and skills and strategies for promoting and supporting peer educators were discussed. The HBCU-CFE has now organized recommendations from both Summits into TIPS: Techniques and Interventions for Peer Educators to Succeed. 3

5 our TIPS TIPS for Development as Peer Educator Leaders Establish credibility Set standards that others can follow Have integrity Be knowledgeable about your topic Be approachable Set a good example Be a good listener Display a caring attitude TIPS for Dissemination of Information Reach out to all students especially freshman Provide information during student orientation Offer forums for discussion Utilize campus radio, TV, newsletters, bulletin boards Utilize social media such as Twitter and Facebook Host dorm talks Plan events in areas where students congregate Educate to dispel myths Develop brochures targeting young adults Have open discussions on campus Help organize workshops or conferences Plan a pep rally, jam session, focus groups TIPS for Mobilizing Resources Invite counseling service staff to student events Indentify resources in your area Collaborate with mental health agencies and professionals in the community Collaborate with student organizations on campus Share ideas with campus administration Advocate for services Explore grant funding and other funding opportunities Provide administration with workable plans Prepare public service announcements geared towards students TIPS for Reducing Stigma Have well-known community persons come out and talk Share books written by prominent individuals on mental health 4

6 resources Additionally, there are many resources available to you as student advocates and peer educators. First, inquire about resources available to you on your campus. Talk to faculty, staff, student counseling, and student support services. Consider networking opportunities with other schools and other peer educators; find out what they are doing and what has worked on other campuses. Below are additional resources for you: Active Minds Active Minds is a nonprofit organization that supports student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy chapters on college campuses across the country. What a Difference a Friend Makes This is a site sponsored by SAMHSA. It is a site for individuals living with mental illness and their friends. You will find excellent tools at this site. U-Lifeline This is a site with information for college mental health and serves as an online resource for students. You will find fact sheets and other valuable resources here. Campus Health and Safety This is an online resource for higher education for students, parents, administration, and other professionals who are seeking information about creating healthier and safer living and learning environments for college and university students. Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives. The site provides information on college student mental health provided by the American Psychiatric Association. This is an online resource for anyone seeking mental health information. You will find information on many common mental health concerns, including warning signs of mental disorders, treatment options, and preventative measures. Suicide Prevention Resource Center This is a comprehensive center providing states, government agencies, colleges and universities, and others with access to the science and experience that can support their efforts to develop programs, interventions, and policies. This site also has specific information for college students. Prepared by Gail A. Mattox, MD, FAACAP HBCU-CFE Project Director Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Morehouse School of Medicine 5 Funding for this publication was made possible by Grant Number TI from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

7 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Campus Support/NAMI_on_Campus1/NAMI_on_Campus.htm NAMI on Campus clubs are student-run, student-led organizations that provide mental health support, education, and advocacy in a university or college setting. Mental Health America A Back to Campus Checklist tool is available from this site to begin to assess the mental health services on your campus. You may also contact the HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health at Morehouse School of Medicine s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences for additional information including training opportunities and ideas. Phone: HBCU (4228) hbcu_cfe@msm.edu Website: Center-for-Excellence/

8 HBCU CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE In Behavioral Health