The ACCSA, in conjunction with ACC, has developed a Peer Support Program that aims to connect students to their peers by fostering a supportive community where students are empowered to overcome obstacles and thrive academically. The Peer Support Program teaches peer supporters the emotional and mental variances that exist among college students, and how to set students up for success, such as encouraging students to support their mental, social, emotional, spiritual and physical wellness. By fostering a supportive community through the Peer Support Program, students are empowered to achieve their goals while building meaningful relationships.

The Peer Support Program, initially launched May 1st, 2023, and funded by Bell Canada’s Bell Let’s Talk Grant, is composed of five training modules. They are: Active Listening Skills, Policies, Code of Conduct and Reporting Processes, Student Issues & Trauma-Informed Responses, Peer-Centered Support and Self-Care for Peer Support Volunteers.

Peer Support, at its core, is about connecting students to their peers, and to the community. Peer support involves at least two individuals with a shared or similar experience, who mutually work on building a relationship for self-development and growth for both parties. In a peer support relationship, the topics discussed may be stigmatized by others, such as mental health concerns, for example. By sharing their own stories, peer supporters try to remove that stigma by validating the experience of others. Volunteers will help to shift the culture of Assiniboine students through proactive engagement in their student community, and ensure students are aware of the resources available to them, both inside and outside of the College. For students looking for more assistance and guidance, they will have access to advice from a student volunteer who is trained and prepared through the ACCSA Peer Support Program to listen to their concerns, provide encouragement in a collegial setting, and refer them to additional resources and services.

Currently, there are six students participating in a summer intake of the Peer Support training. The ACCSA is looking to train more students in the fall at all ACC campuses. If you’re interested in taking part in the Peer Support Program, please email Alyshia Kelbert, Program Coordinator of the ACCSA, at kelberta@assiniboine.net.

The content of the Peer Support Program was developed by Anneliesea Parkinson, former Student Development Coordinator for the ACCSA and Alyshia Kelbert, Program Coordinator at the ACCSA. Review and editing were done by Karleigh Paul, former Executive Director for the ACCSA, Sheryl Prouse, Senior Advisor of Student Affairs at ACC, and Brandy Robertson, Mental Health Student Success Advisor at ACC. Formatting and design for the Peer Support Program was done by Karley Woods, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the ACCSA. Moodle development was done by Alyshia Kelbert (ACCSA). A special thank you is extended to Matthew May, Student Success Advisor at ACC and Alyssa Desrochers, Administrative Assistant at ACC.

– Article written by Karley Woods, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the ACCSA