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Peer Education: M-HOPE (Mental Health Outreach Peer Educators)

Institution: Binghamton University Counseling Center

Semesters: Fall 2015 - Spring 2016

Responsibility Overview: Part of a select year long internship through the Binghamton University Counseling Center, in which our primary focus was to help de-stigmatize mental health on the Binghamton college campus and let students know the resources that are available to them. Training on suicide prevention, interpersonal communication skills, outreach strategies, and presentation and tabling techniques, was all completed as part of the necessary pre- requisite training for the program. Our work comprised of over 60 hours of clinical work giving presentations, tabling events, street outreach activities, and Resident Assistant events.

One program my colleagues and I ran was called the Mental Health Advocacy Certification Series. In this lecture styled series we put on several lecture series a week in which the topic ranged from all corners of mental health. We designed presentations on Suicide Prevention, Stigma and Counseling Basics, Interpersonal Skills, Life skills, and Mental Health Awareness. We aimed to reduce stigma and reach more students through increasing peer help and referrals. Attendance numbers included over 30 students at each event. 

Example of Programming Created: Positive Expression Night: An Artful Approach

Created, co-ran, and organized an event funded and sponsored by the Binghamton University Counseling Center, Music Department, and LateNite Bing (the on-campus late night programing committee). The idea of positive expression night was for students to be able to express their emotions in a healthy way. Instead of bottling up their emotions, which we know can lead to detrimental outcomes, having a healthy outlet to express their feelings can be just the thing that helps students get through the semester, especially during stressful times like the weeks approaching finals. The program was open-mic’ed style, in which students or student groups signed up for various art acts. These acts varied from musical performances, poetry performances, dance performances, art presentations, etc. – all were welcome. I also co-presented with my partner Sonia Reyes, about the effects of positive expression on mental health and emotional well being – specifically in music during the intermission of the performances.

The event was wildly successful and we had over 200 attendees. All sponsors involved expressed their desire to sponsor the event for future years, allowing it to be an annual platform for students to express themselves creatively on campus.  

Example Presentation: Prepared by Mr. Carle Wirshba & Ms. Sonia Reyes