Peer helping programs: Helper role, supervisor training, and suicidal behavior

Abstract

A survey of school counseling association members concerning peer helper programs provided information on the nature and prevalence of programs within Washington State. Descriptive analyses indicate that peer helper-counseling programs are widely used and that they are often supervised by noncounseling professionals. Furthermore, the analysis revealed significantly greater numbers of completed suicides at those schools where programs are supervised by noncounseling professionals.