Peer counseling and health advocacy programs give students meaningful ways to participate in the delivery of health care and wellness activities. Through involvement with these programs, students gain knowledge and experience, enhance interpersonal skills, and develop new relationships. All student volunteers receive training and ongoing supervision from professional staff members at HUHS.
Peer Counseling and Support
Peer counselors offer telephone and drop-in hours, as well as referrals for medical care, psychotherapy, and other services when appropriate. They listen and respond in a non-judgmental way to a variety of concerns common to other students. Coming from various backgrounds and ethnic groups themselves, the peer counselors realize that each person's experience is unique and reflects differences in class, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed. Peer Counseling Groups
Peer Health Advocacy
Peer health advocates help to extend health and wellness education beyond the walls of HUHS by promoting healthy lifestyles among their fellow students. HUHS professional and clinical staff train group members to contribute to a healthy student community by providing resources or acting as counselors in various areas of concern to college students, such as alcohol use, eating concerns, and relationship issues. A few peer groups that focus on health advocacy are listed below.
UNDERGRADUATES
Drug & Alcohol Peer Advisors (DAPAs)
Drug & Alcohol Peer Advisors (DAPAs) are a select group of student-leaders who have been trained to respond to questions about alcohol and other drug issues at Harvard.
Community Health Initiative (CHI)
A program for undergraduates, CHI uses peer education, programs and promotions, policy and administration, and advocacy to promote healthy communities at Harvard. Contact the Center for Wellness at 617-495-9629 for more information, or click here for an application.
MHAAG Mental Health Mentors Program
The Mental Health Mentors program pairs students who have mental health diagnoses with student volunteers who have had similar experiences. The program aims to allow students who feel singular in their experience to find others who have undergone similar challenges. Mental Health Mentors have ongoing, non-anonymous relationship with mentees; all information is kept confidential. Mentors are trained to provide constructive feedback and guidance, as well as empathize. Mentors attend biweekly meetings led by Dr. Paul Barreira, Director of Behavioral Health and Academic Counseling, to improve communication skills and efficacy as a mentor. Visit the MHAAG website for more information.
OSAPR Student Alliance
Are you concerned about social issues like sexual assault, domestic violence, and harassment? The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (OSAPR) Student Alliance allows you to get involved in prevention efforts and meet other student leaders who are working together to create a Harvard community free from sexual and interpersonal violence. OSAPR Student Alliance
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate Student Council (GSC)
The Graduate Student Council is composed of representatives from each department and program in GSAS. It has an active Student Health Committee that is working to improve health care on campus. If you have any suggestions, comments, and concerns about your health insurance or care, email Carrie Thiessen at thiessen@fas.harvard.edu, attend a GSC meeting, or visit the GSC website.
Longwood Medical Area Workgroup
Comprised of student health reps, student affairs administrators from all four Longwood graduate schools, and the Medical Director of the HUHS Longwood Satellite Clinic, this group addresses issues related to optimal health and mental health care access for Longwood students. If you are interested in participating, please contact your Dean of Student Affairs. HMS students may email Laurie Raymond, M.D., Director of Advising Resources for HMS and co-director of this committee, at Laurie_Raymond@hms.harvard.edu.