Peer Health Education Program

Who Are We

The Health Centre offers a peer health educator program that focuses on healthy lifestyle management for our students. This is a “students-educating-students” program that relates to topics of health and wellness.

What We Do

The program provides an effective peer network to encourage, support, and promote healthy living for all students. It seeks to make students aware of the issues associated with unhealthy behaviours through education and up-to-date information, as well as life skills training to assist students in making healthy life-style choices. The philosophy is that students can play a uniquely effective role in encouraging their peers to consider, talk honestly about, seek professional advice, and develop responsible habits and attitudes.

Why Be a Peer Health Educator

Peer health educators gain valuable life skills experience in leadership, responsibility, organizing activities and networking with others in a social and interactive environment. They become more educated in student health issues and develop self confidence, public speaking, group facilitation, and communication skills by conducting a variety of health education programs.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Attending one-hour weekly planning/training meetings.
• Participate and assist with design and organization of campus programs.
• Staff information tables. (ie World AIDS Day)
• Design and distribute flyers, pamphlets or promotional material.
• Update PHE scrapbook.
• Attend “Orientation for Peer Health Educators” training class during the fall semester. Training is offered (and required) at no charge to the new recruit.

How to Become a Peer Health Educator

Health @ Humber is actively seeking students with an interest in promoting healthy lifestyles by conducting health education program to their peers.

Applicants should possess the following qualities:

• strong interest and enthusiasm in promoting healthy behaviours among your fellow students.
• open mind to cultural practices, and lifestyles (ie. sexual orientation) different from your own.
• sensitivity to controversial and personal topics that sometimes can be embarrassing.
• demonstrate a sincere concern for others, their well-being and quality of life.
• ability to show concern and empathy.
• ability to facilitate group discussions and include all members of the audience.
• ability to function as a supportive team member.
• ability to speak publicly in a positive, engaging, interactive, and non-judgemental manner.

Commitment:

Peer Health Educators are required to commit energy, enthusiasm and time for a minimum of 2 semester commitment; 3 semesters preferred.

First semester:

In-training PHE will receive approximately 10 hours of training and will provide 3 hours per week through assisting PHE Team Leaders with events. PHE will also attend one-hour weekly planning and training meetings.

Subsequent semesters:

Trained PHE will be required to work 30-40 hours which include attending weekly planning/training meetings, conducting programs or assisting with other health promotion related events.

Applications:

Applications can be downloaded a printable version of the PHE application or personally picked up at the Health Centre. The recruitment, application and interview process takes place each spring semester to select new Peer Health Educators for the following academic year.

Students from any department are welcome and encouraged to participate in the program.