ABOUT US
SMU Peer Helpers is a student body comprised of caring individuals who are passionate about becoming better supporters of our peers. The SMU Peer Helping Initiative was started in 2004 and is Singapore’s first formal peer helping programme for the education sector.
We work closely with the professional counsellors of Mrs Wong Kwok Leong Student Wellness Centre to improve the well-being of the student community. While Peer Helpers are not professional counsellors, we serve as a bridge between the Student Wellness Centre and the SMU community to promote better mental well-being and a supportive community for all.
KEY EVENTS
Outreach
To support our student community in their SMU journey, SMU Peer Helpers organises two community events each semester targeted at students, known as outreach events.
Our main outreach events include welfare events packed with sweet treats to give students a boost from their stressful weeks, to meaningful workshops that invite students to learn more about themselves and encourage self-care!
External workshops
Each semester, we partner with external organisations to conduct workshops for youths in Singapore. With topics centred around mental well-being and peer helping skills, we aim to equip youths with the expertise and knowledge so they can in turn support the people they love and care for. These workshops also spread the importance of self care!
Internal Bonding Sessions
While we try our best to support our student community, SMU Peer Helpers also place great emphasis on bonding as a PHamily!
SMU Peer Helpers conducts bi-weekly internal bonding sessions in the form of after-training activities for members to relax and get to know each other better. Our own members plan activities that vary every semester, all of which add to the vibrant SMU Peer Helper culture.
REACH OUT TO US
GALLERY
OUR TRAINING
| Member | Associate | |
| Day | Fridays | |
| Time | 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm | 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm |
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Successfully organised a peer-helping workshop for SMUSA members and SOSCIETY students in March 2023
- Held the Silver Ribbon Mental Health Awards Ceremony for schools in 2020
- Awarded the Certificate of Commendation for SMU’s University Student Life Awards 2023
- Successfully organised and conducted a peer-helping workshop with SMU Youth Mentors in February 2024
OUR PEOPLE IN ACTION
HOW TO JOIN THE CLUB?
To be a Peer Helper, you must complete the Peer Helpers Associate (PHA) Training Programme. You can sign up to join our PHA Training Programme through a form sent out before the start of each semester.
After successful completion of the programme, you will need to go through a selection interview to determine your suitability with SMU Peer Helpers. If you pass the interview, you are officially a PH member. However, if you fail the interview, you will be automatically promoted as an Associate instead!
As an associate, you can still be part of the community through volunteering at PH events, access to PH-led welfare drives and attending a refresher course to improve your peer helping skills.
"Peer Helper has helped me open up to new experiences, meet good buddies that made my uni life fun and gave me the opportunity to contribute to the SMU community. It is more like a family than a CCA!"
- Phua Pei Wen, Peer Helper, School of Social Sciences, Year 4
"Through PH, I have learnt how to better support the people around me, and I have been equipped with the skills to make a meaningful impact. We were also taught the importance of self-care. Being a part of this community full of wholesome individuals will definitely improve anyone's university experience."
- Ooi Wei Ming, Peer Helper, School of Social Sciences, Year 3
FAQ
The PHA programme is a 5-week-long programme conducted by counsellors from the Student Wellness Centre. The programme trains you with the basic peer helping skills. Before applying to become a PH member, all applicants will have to go through one semester of PHA training to acquire the necessary skills to serve as a PH member.
A PHA Programme Mentee will go through weekly training every Friday, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm for 5 weeks as well as a 1.5-hour mentoring session at Cosy Haven every week.
A Peer Helper has weekly training every Friday, from 3:30pm to 6pm as well as a 1.5-hour duty at Cosy Haven every week.
A PHA Programme Mentee undergoes a 5-week long training programme and mentoring sessions that teaches basic peer helping skills.
A Peer Helper Associate are mentees who have completed the training programme and are able to take part in refresher courses and volunteer at PH outreach events.
A Peer Helper undergoes weekly training and internal bonding sessions. A PH also carries out departmental duties and weekly duties at Cosy Haven.
For the PHA programme, training will be conducted by counsellors from the Wellness Centre. For PH members, training will be conducted by both SWC counsellors and external trainers from organisations such as Silver Ribbon and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS).
Cosy Haven is a safe space located behind the Students Services Hub for students to de-stress and/or speak to an SMU Peer Helper for support. We have console games, board games, card games and massage chairs for students’ use.
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