A collection of articles, tools, resources, and perspectives that support the planning and implementation of School-Based Peer-to-Peer Programs that support the well-being of young people.
Purpose:
This Resource Hub is designed to help schools and partner organizations as they seek to develop high quality, youth-centered, equity-focused peer-to-peer programs in schools. Our aim is to create a library of information and resources that can help schools easily access tools to advocate for, plan and implement peer-to-peer programs. These compiled resources showcase various approaches and models, illustrating the flexibility and adaptability of school-based peer-to-peer programs. Recognizing that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, we aim for this resource to empower your organization or school in delving deeper into peer-to-peer programs that bolster student well-being and strengthen the comprehensive school mental health system.
Do you have questions or have additional resources to add? Do you want to be notified of future peer-to-peer program training opportunities? Please email us at peertopeer@schoolhealthcenters.org.
| Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support: Students Helping Students California School-Based Health Alliance (CSHA website) Overview of rationale, models, planning and implementation. |
Students Helping Students: School-Based Peer Support Programs Enhance Student Well-Being Child Health and Development Institute. Supports development of peer support programs, including key components, and relevant research. |
| Youth-Centered Strategies for Hope, Healing and Health The Children’s Partnership and National Black Women’s Justice Institute, May, 2022. Report from a youth-led policy council that developed a policy agenda that builds the capacity of youth-serving systems to provide effective, compassionate and trauma-responsive care to marginalized youth and their communities |
Youth Supporting Youth: Expanding Peer-to-Peer Programs in Schools to Address the Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis California Children’s Trust, February 2022. Makes the case for funding, planning and implementing youth peer-to-peer programs as a strategy to support youth mental health. |
| Youth and Young Adult Peer Support: Expanding Community-Driven Mental Health Resources Mental Health America, 2022. Makes the case for peer and community-driven solutions that can provide effective support outside traditional health care systems and support culture change within health care systems. |
The Case for Peer-to-Peer Mental Health & Wellness Support Programs Youth and Family Collective, Education and Policy Brief, July 2022. Describes the need and strategies of peer support with local examples from the Sacramento region. |
| Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Supports: Students Helping Students California School-Based Health Alliance Summary of the why and how of starting a peer program, including best practices, models to consider, and resources. |
Peer-to-Peer Support Programs Models – Infographic Shows the continuum of peer programs from least intensive to programs with higher intensity and training |
| Peer-to-Peer Models and the MTSS Framework – Infographic | Youth Peer Support 101 Brief video describing the pillars of youth peer support |
| Campus-Based and Youth-Led Program Summaries Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission |
Wellness Peers Model – Ventura County Office of Education Peer model that trains peers to work in and in partnership with school Wellness Centers |
| Building Effective Peer Mentoring Programs in Schools: An Introductory Guide The Mentoring Center. Guide that includes program design considerations, peer recruitment, training, peer-to-peer activities, and resources. |
Fostering Healthy Futures® for Teens University of Denver 30-week mentoring program for 8th and 9th graders with current or previous child welfare involvement |
| Peer Advocates in Action: A Step-By-Step Curricular Guide For Trainers and Coordinators of Peer Resource Programs Peer Advocates Training & Consulting, Hilary Roberts, M.Ed. |
NAMI On Campus Nationwide student-run clubs that raise awareness about mental health and wellness |
| Active Minds National organization with focus on young adults to promote mental health awareness and education |
Center for Supportive Schools – Peer Group Connection Peer leadership and mentoring program that taps into the power of older students to create nurturing environments for younger students |
| PLUS – Peer Leaders Uniting Students A student voice and participatory action program to support school climate improvement and lead connectedness-building activities |
Hope Squad Peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that aims to reduce youth suicide through education, training and peer-support. |
| Sources of Strength Suicide prevention program that uses peer leaders to enhance protective factors associated with reducing suicide in a school community. |
A Brief Primer on Youth Participatory Action Research For Mentoring Programs Overview of centering YPAR in mentoring programs to elevate youth voice and social change |
| Bring Change to Mind National organization with high school and middle school programs that empowers students to become mental health advocates and ambassadors |
| Everything You Wanted to Know About Peer Program Development Slide deck from Peer Advocates Training and Consulting, Hilary Roberts |
Building Effective Peer Mentoring Programs in Schools: An Introductory Guide The Mentoring Center. Guide that includes program design considerations, peer recruitment, training, peer-to-peer activities, and resources. |
| A Brief Primer on Youth Participatory Action Research for Mentoring Programs National Mentoring Resource Center. An overview of youth participatory action research (YPAR), a promising approach for elevating youth voices in mentoring programs to create positive change. |
Youth-Led Innovation Toolkit (MHSOAC) The youth-led Youth Innovation Project Planning Committee hosted Youth Innovation Labs across California to develop a model for how leaders in the behavioral health field can meaningfully engage youth in meaningful youth and adult partnership. |
| Recruiting and Retaining Youth Peer Support Specialists Implementation Guide Youth Move National Peer Center |
Life-Changing Schools For All Students California Partnership for the Future of Learning Community Schools Toolkit (p. 102-110) |
| Peer Power: Harnessing Workforce Dollars to Scale Youth Peer Support and Transform Schools California Children’s Trust and The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, December 2023. Introduces opportunities to enhance youth mental health in schools by leveraging education investments to scale peer support programs and cultivate a more inclusive behavioral health workforce. Webinar recording |
Certified Wellness Coaches New provider type in California to support the growing behavioral health needs of youth, designed to offer non-clinical services which can include supporting school-based peer programs and health promotion. Some services will be reimbursable under the CYBHI Multi-Payer Fee Schedule |
| Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Multi-Payer Fee Schedule New fee schedule for school-linked behavioral health that provides reimbursement for schools and school partners for specific services. Could provide additional funding that can be utilized for clinical support from peer mentoring/counseling programs |
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Partnership & Capacity Grants potentially could be accessed to recruit, hire and train personnel to support behavioral health supports on campus, including peer-to-peer program implementation. |
| Peer Advocates in Action: A Step-By-Step Curricular Guide For Trainers and Coordinators of Peer Resource Programs Peer Advocates Training & Consulting, Hilary Roberts, M.Ed. Preview of book that provides curricula for peer resource programs, including peer counseling, peer education, conflict mediation |
Miramonte Peer Mediation Conflict Resolution Training Handbook for Students & Peer Counseling Student Reader Created by Clovis USD to train students at various levels to be peer mediators |
| Cultural Identity Development: MPA Mentoring Program Curriculum Madison Park Academy, Oakland Unified culturally-rooted, year-long mentoring course for 11th and 12th graders mentoring middle school students |
Peer-to-Peer Impact: High School Mental Health Toolkit Arizona State University Toolkit that can be used to train students to do peer education and initiate student-led initiatives to supplement mental health initiatives on campus |
| Core and Supplemental Skills Training Outline Detailed outline of Communication Skills training for peers from Peer Advocates in Action |
Youth Mentee Guide: Grow Your Mentor Relationship, National Mentoring Resource Center Guide targeted to youth mentees in preparing for and thriving in their mentoring relationship |
| The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania Peer Mentor Handbook Guide to support peer mentors’ understanding of the peer mentor role, boundaries, establishing trust, communication skills, activities, and cultural issues. |
Conflict Resolution Manual for Peer Counselors/Peer Mediators Stronger2gether, Poly High School, Long Beach, Michael L. Gray, Provides guidelines for peer conflict resolution programs that supports students finding peaceful solutions to problems. |
| Moorpark Wellness Center Wellness Peer Handbook Student Guide for high school Wellness Peers, including duties, logistics, peer counseling skills, and resources |
| Youth-Driven Change: High School Peer Leaders Speak on Their Experiences California School-Based Health Alliance, Feb 7, 2024 |
Fostering Student Well-Being Through School-Based Peer-to-Peer Support Programs California School-Based Health Alliance, November 16, 2023 |
| Peer Mentoring: Creating a Culture of Youth Empowerment California School-Based Health Alliance, Dec 8, 2022 |
Peer Mentoring: Youth Resilience and Community Building California School-Based Health Alliance, April 21, 2021 |
| Empowering Youth in Leadership and Peer Support Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery, Sept 2019 |
S.U.P.E.R Peer Counseling – Riverside Unified School District Program San Diego Office of Education February 11, 2021 |
| Young Mental Health Leaders Series: Peer Support and Youth Mental Health Mental Health America, May 2021 |
| When the Biggest Student Mental Health Advocates Are the Students New York Times, Feb 6, 2024 |
Students Tackle Life’s Challenges Together Edutopia, January 2020 |
| Oakland School’s Peer-to-Peer Counseling Program Helps Students Cope With Trauma KQED, Jan 3, 3023 |
Loss—and Hope—After a Cluster of Student Suicides Edutopia January 2020 |
| America’s youth mental health crisis: Peer counseling KCAL News, Feb 27, 2023 featuring Pomona High School Peer Counselors |
Peer counseling gains popularity as California schools beef up student mental health services EdSource Feb 2022 |
| Peer-to-Peer Counseling Can Help Schools Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis The 74, June 5, 2023 |
Amid a youth mental health crisis, teens help one another Los Angeles Times, December 20, 2021 |
| Mental Health Monday: Pomona High School Peers Counseling Program KCAL News, Jan 24, 2022 featuring Pomona High School Peer Counselors |
Peer Programs Helping Schools Tackle Student Depression, Anxiety NEA Today, Nov 2019 |
| Youth-Driven Change: High School Peer Leaders Speak on Their Experiences California School-Based Health Alliance, Feb 7, 2024 |
Peer Group Connection: Tapping Into the Power of Peers Center for Supportive Schools – Central Park East High School 2023 |
| Peer Counseling at Walnut High School Video orientation with the voices of Peer Counselors |
Youth Supporting Youth: Expanding Peer-to-Peer Programs in School California Children’s Trust – Video presentation |
| Stories of Hope Shorts: A Place for Everyone Video highlighting Livermore High School Wellness Center and Culture Keeper peer support program |
| Youth-Centered Strategies for Hope, Healing and Health The Children’s Partnership and National Black Women’s Justice Institute, May, 2022. Report from a youth-led policy council that developed a policy agenda that builds the capacity of youth-serving systems to provide effective, compassionate and trauma-responsive care to marginalized youth and their communities |
Youth Supporting Youth: Expanding Peer-to-Peer Programs in Schools to Address the Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis California Children’s Trust, February 2022. Makes the case for funding, planning and implementing youth peer-to-peer programs as a strategy to support youth mental health. |
| The School Counselor and Peer Support Programs Position of the American School Counselor Association on school-counselor role when peer-support programs are implemented, including ensuring students are properly trained, supervised and supported in their role. |
Youth at the Center: Calls-to-action for a reimagined behavioral health ecosystem from children, youth, and families across California CalHSS CYBHI. Summary of CYBHI vision to build a new children and youth behavioral health ecosystem in California. |
| Giving the (Young) People What They Want: A Policy Framework for Youth Peer Support The Center for Law and Social Policy, July 2023. Policy Framework based on interviews with stakeholders and experts, with focus on state-level guidance. |