EIU Health Education Resource Center

H.E.A.L.T.H. Peer Educators

Helping, Educating, Advocating, and Learning Through Health.

The peer education program provides an opportunity for students to promote positive lifestyle choices among fellow students as well as sharpen, practice, and develop professional skills. A peer educator is a student who facilitates the raising of awareness, the learning of knowledge, and change of behavior concerning health. These actions often occur in individual, small group, or large scale settings that involve a variety of instructional methods.

Understanding Peer Education

Many ask, "What is a peer educator?" Sometimes, though, it is easier to explain what a peer educator is NOT in order to better understand. A peer educator is not:

• A counselor or therapist. A peer educator is trained to provide factual information. He/she are not trained to help others overcome life's difficult challenges by providing suggestions or intensive therapy. While a peer educator may be a great listener, being a counselor or therapist requires many more skills and much more training.
• A health professional. A peer educator may have more training and knowledge than other students but may not necessarily possess the background and training needed to serve as an exercise consultant, nutritionist, or other health professional.

What Peer Educators Do

After training, recruits will facilitate relaxed, informative, and interactive programs on a variety of health-related topics ranging from healthy sexuality to alcohol and drug abuse prevention. These programs will be presented to residence halls, fraternities and sororities, interested student organizations, organizations within the community (school system, youth groups, etc.), and academic classes. These presentations are either those requested through the HERC or those that the peer educator has solicited on his/her own.

Peer educators are also encouraged to assist with the promotion and implementation of special events and services sponsored by the HERC. These awareness events include:

• National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW)
• HIV/AIDS - Safer Sex Awareness Campaign
• Safer Spring Break Campaign
• Annual Health Fair

Reasons to be a Peer Educator

• Be happier and healthier
• Become certified in peer education
• Build a resume through leadership opportunities
• Become a role model
• Gain confidence, leadership skills, and presentation experience
• Gain experience with motivational interviewing and team building scenarios
• SAVE LIVES of your fellow peers

Nomination & Application

Complete the nomination form to recommend a student to be a HEALTH peer educator. Those are interested in applying directly may click here to fill out the online application form.