Peer Educator Program
As a major component of the Counseling Center’s consultation and outreach offerings, the Peer Educator Program provides psychoeducational learning experiences for the UC Irvine student community. Peer Educators are committed to teaching skills that will help students to reduce the potential for distressful life experience (primary prevention) and to resolve stressful situations more quickly should they arise.
Introduction to the Peer Educators
Peer Educators are undergraduate students representing a rich diversity of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Many, but certainly not all, students participating in the program plan on pursuing either employment or graduate work in the counseling/mental health professions. However, students in the program have represented a variety of undergraduate majors and there are former Peer Educators and Student Associate Coordinators who have entered into such graduate programs as economics, law, and veterinary medicine. Peer Educators have a genuine commitment to learning and self-growth, and to providing a meaningful service to the UC Irvine student community. Students accepted into the program during the Spring Quarter participate during the following academic year.
Alan Ho |
Alexandra |
Alex Uzdavines |
Alvaro Aguila |
Alexandria Delgado Peer Coordinator |
Jennifer Chang Peer Coordinator |
Khrystyn Peer Coordinator |
Loren Sedano Peer Coordinator |
Nicole Cagampan Peer Coordinator |
Sandra Helmy Peer Coordinator |
Stephanie Chen Peer Coordinator |
Hoa Nha Nguyen |
Jamie Tibajia |
Joyce Lopez |
Kiera Shumway |
|
Marcus Soloman |
Natasha Duell |
Nicole Goodman |
Priya Chakrabarti |
Rachel Stromgren |
ShireenNoori |
Theresa Nguyen |
Yasi Amanat |
While not all inclusive, the following provides a general overview of training topics typically addressed: primary prevention in mental health services; consultation and outreach skills; team development and leadership; experiential learning; teaching and presentation skills; workshop/curriculum development; focus groups/needs assessment; multiculturalism and mental health services; wellness model; college student development; and specific mental health/psychoeducational areas including stress management, depression, intimate relationships, and mediation skills.
Peers receive 3 units/quarter of 198 Group Study on a pass/no pass basis. Winter and Spring Quarters are also approved for Social Ecology 195, Field Study.
Peer Educators provide consultation services to various student groups; develop and deliver workshops/training sessions covering a variety of mental health topics, market the services of the Center to the campus community; assist professional staff with outreach programming; assess student need regarding mental health issues; and provide stress management relaxation training to individual students. Peer Educators also complete a special project which contributes to the effectiveness of the Peer Educator Program and the Counseling Center. Peers receive group supervision from the program instructor/coordinator and Associate Coordinators on a weekly basis and individual consultation as needed.
Friends Helping Friends seminars, presented by the UC Irvine Counseling Center Peer Educators, provide psycho-educational advice and training for students who are interested in increasing the social, self-management and helping skills. The seminars, covering a wide range of topics, will assist you in developing skills that will enable you to identify and support a friend in distress. There is no cost for this program and it is open to all UC Irvine students.
Those students attending a minimum of five (5) psycho-educational seminars will receive a Friends Helping Friends certificate and will be honored at an awards ceremony.
If you have any questions, please stop by the UC Irvine Counseling Center or call (949) 824-6457.
“Living Together” – Tuesday, April 21, 2009; 7-8pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
For many of us, our college experiences include living with other people. This fun and informative workshop is designed to help you develop a better relationship with your roommate(s) and make living together a positive experience! Learn important tips and solutions on how to deal with living with others!
“Test Anxiety & Study Skills” – Wednesday, April 22, 2009; 7-8pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Have you ever felt extremely stressed before taking a test, and not know how to best prepare for an important test/midterm/final? Come to this workshop to learn practical solutions on how to overcome procrastination by setting goals, preventing stress, and promoting healthy ways of managing your time wisely! Discover ways to reduce test anxiety and better prepare for those upcoming exams.
“Stress Management” – Tuesday, April 28, 2009; 7-8pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
The interactive workshop will explore practical techniques that can help you alleviate stress and better manage your time. Come discover useful ways and lifelong strategies to cope with stress in your everyday life!
“Is My Friend Depressed?? What Can I Do?” – Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Location: Woods Cove Rm. B, Student Center
It is estimated that at any one time, 20% of the UCI population suffers from some symptoms of depression, and that 3% meet the criteria for clinical depression. Topics to discuss will include recognizing the signs of depression and suicide ideation, as well as how to support and assist a friend in need.
“Communication Skills” – Tuesday, May 5, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Communication is essential in many aspects of our lives, some that we are not even aware of! Come to our workshop to learn how to organize and express your ideas more clearly and efficiently. Help build your self-esteem by listening, observing, interpreting, and understanding others. This workshop will also help you gain public speaking skills and improve your interpersonal relationships.
“Abusive Relationships” – Wednesday, May 6, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Develop a clearer understanding of what an abusive relationship is and how to prevent it. Come to this workshop to gain a better understanding of the warning signs, or what to do if you or your friend may be in or is entering into an abusive relationship. Gain tips and possible solutions on how to end and move on from a destructive, unhealthy relationship.
“Intimate Relationships” – Tuesday, May 12, 2009; 7-8pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive, fun workshop will address ways on how to have and maintain a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship! The primary focus will be on 1) the importance of understanding yourself and your needs with regards to the relationship, and 2) the importance of having good communication skills for a successful relationship!
“Helping a Friend with an Eating Disorder” – Wednesday, May 13, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Do you think that your friend may have an eating disorder, but are not sure how to approach the subject to her/him? Learn how to identify common symptoms and behaviors among people with eating disorders. Receive useful suggestions on how you might best assist your friend in getting the proper help that he/she needs.
“Mediation Skills” – Tuesday, May 19, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
It is obvious that we all have conflicts now and then, but it is important to learn how to deal with potential disputes before they become triggers for stress in our lives. This interactive and fun workshop highlights effective ways to deal with conflict before it damages or destroys a relationship! Learn what the different types of conflict are, and how best to deal with them before they get worse!
“Supporting a Grieving Friend” – Wednesday, May 20, 2009; 7-8pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
All types of loss are difficult to go through alone, whether it be the death of a loved one, the loss of a cherished relationship, or the loss of a highly expected opportunity. This informative workshop will discuss important ways on how to best assist friends who suffer from grief or loss.
“Assertiveness Training” – Tuesday, May 26, 2009; 7-8pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Want to learn how to be more assertive in school, at home, with your friends, or even in the workplace? This workshop will teach instructive ways on how to master skills that will help you confidently assert yourself. This fun and interactive workshop will help you learn how to optimize your personal growth as a competent and capable person!
“Life Transitions” – Wednesday, May 27, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Location: Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
We all probably know this already: CHANGE CAN BE HARD! Coming to college, leaving home, graduating, and starting a new career are just some of the major life transitions that can be potentially stressful. This fun presentation will discuss great ways on how to cope with and prepare for these major life transitions!
All UC Irvine undergraduates with a minimum GPA of 2.5 are eligible to apply for the program. Applications are available in late Winter/early Spring quarters.
Questions about applying to the Peer Educator Program can be addressed to Ken Caillet, Ph.D. Instructor/Coordinator.
