The Content of Peer Helping Program

With the study, which is a collection of the overall literature, the aim is to explain the concept of peer helping and its content. It is also our aim to enlighten people who are interested in the topic about where and how peer helping programs might be used. Peer helping concept consists of the idea that peers advise each other spontenaously and while doing this, active listening, problem solving skills, mental health and human development knowledge are naturally used. Peer helping is a system of counseling in which peers who are at the same age and status might help each other (Birol, 2005). The study aims to provide sufficient knowledge for the ones who are in the arena about what and how to establish a qualified peer helping program and of its principles. Additionally, how to choose peer helpers and the methods are partly discussed. It is known that the election of peer helpers has various applications. One way is applying for it voluntarily (Baginsky, 2004), second is being a nominee by others (Cartwright 2005), third is choosing a selective course (Myrick ve Folk:1991), fourth is interviews (Birol;2005) or applying some tests. The interview method has its own standards and also in the study the characteristics of peer helpers are examined as they have to be qualified and able to conduct the counseling sessions in an appropriate way. The study also mentions about the aim of peer helping. It presents us a brief information about the relation between peer helping and preventional guidance. Peer helping is a useful method for it is used in various fields and it facilitates people who work in the arena to reach many individuals at schools or other educational institutions.