PEER ADVOCATES

Peer Advocates is a peer support training program offered through local junior and senior high schools. Students are recruited through self and counselor referral, and complete 14 hours of training to assist their peers in preventing and responding to common teen problems, including eating disorders, dating violence, depression, family problems, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and substance abuse. Participants are taught when to seek adult guidance and when to refer peers for professional assistance.

Students who complete the beginning level Peer Advocates program are eligible for Advanced Peer Advocates in which students receive additional training in peer counseling, hear from guest speakers, and complete homework and field assignments, including taking care of the infant simulator, Baby Think It Over, and visiting local resource agencies.

Peer Advocates participants may also serve as speakers on teen panels, radio programs and professional conferences. Peer Advocates has been found to increase the knowledge and skills of the participants, and to assist both the participants and their peers in avoiding and managing common teen preoblems.

Participant comments include:

"I do not have anyone at home that takes care of me. Everyone is busy so there is a lot of things I cannot talk about. I know that when (the instructor) comes to class I can talk about all this stuff that I keep inside. It really helps."

"I was scared to talk about the changes in my body with my mom, but now that I have, she can't stop talking about it with me, and it has brought us closer."

"I can't believe how misinformed my friends are. Now I can set them straight."