The Rise of Peer Support Leaders - Part 1
- Lukas Seet
- Jan 3, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 9, 2024
Who are they?
Why do they exist?
In 2020, a news article was published in The Straits Times that “all schools will have a support structure made up of students to encourage them to help one another” by 2022. The program was started as a result of the growing number of students seeking mental health services for issues related to stress.
So, who are Peer Support Leaders?
Peer Support Leaders are a group of people who take on leadership roles at work, in school, in the community, or even in their personal lives to help people around their age group. Being more comfortable with one another and relatable is the core idea of peer support.
Think, wouldn’t talking to a friend be easier than talking to a stranger? The answer for most would be “Yes!” When friends in similar stages of life exchange stories and discuss similar problems and experiences, trust is developed.
Peer support doesn’t necessarily have to be through a peer support leader, but the reason for having a leader is for accountability. Students are given the opportunity and responsibility to care for peers around them. When peers confide in these peer support leaders about a problem that may be too big for them to handle or solve, these leaders serve as a conduit to teachers. Above all, these leaders have received specialized training in creating a safe, judgment-free environment and a listening ear.
Speech Academy Asia launched The Peer Leaders Initiative in an effort to promote the peer support movement in schools and the community. In order to give Peer Support Leaders a comprehensive and life-changing learning experience, this initiative includes magazines, activity books, educational games, certificates, tournaments, and awards.
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