Student Support Network
Ryan Schmit
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
The Student Support Network is being implemented this semester at Southwest Minnesota State University. This program is an effort to get students the help they need from their peers, as well as themselves.
The idea of the Student Support Network (SSN) came from a model by Sara Fier, assistant professor of counseling at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The program had been in its planning stage since November and is going on 'test-run' this semester.
The program aims to take 15 recruits and train them in six, one-hour installments on how to assist in helping other students on campus. The program is stretched over six weeks, at one hour a week.
"We hope to do two six-week training sessions for each semester, but a lot of people at college have very busy schedules," said Wai Yan Vivian Lau, undergraduate intern, at SMSU Counseling & Testing Services.
"We will, for sure, be able to train in the first group of fifteen this semester, as we have fourteen recruits already. We might be able to fit in another if we start this first group off earlier than planned," Lau said.
The program trains these groups on different aspects of mental illness and anguish, such as alcoholism, depression and other mentally trying situations. This program provides active learning through role playing, discussions, and activities that are aimed at providing situational experience.
Recruits are always welcome to sign up, and some students may be contacted by professors, recommending them for recruitment. You can e-mail Vivian Lau at Waiyan.Lau@smsu.edu, or sign up at the SMSU Counseling & Testing Services in BA 156 by phone at 537-7150.
The idea of the Student Support Network (SSN) came from a model by Sara Fier, assistant professor of counseling at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The program had been in its planning stage since November and is going on 'test-run' this semester.
The program aims to take 15 recruits and train them in six, one-hour installments on how to assist in helping other students on campus. The program is stretched over six weeks, at one hour a week.
"We hope to do two six-week training sessions for each semester, but a lot of people at college have very busy schedules," said Wai Yan Vivian Lau, undergraduate intern, at SMSU Counseling & Testing Services.
"We will, for sure, be able to train in the first group of fifteen this semester, as we have fourteen recruits already. We might be able to fit in another if we start this first group off earlier than planned," Lau said.
The program trains these groups on different aspects of mental illness and anguish, such as alcoholism, depression and other mentally trying situations. This program provides active learning through role playing, discussions, and activities that are aimed at providing situational experience.
Recruits are always welcome to sign up, and some students may be contacted by professors, recommending them for recruitment. You can e-mail Vivian Lau at Waiyan.Lau@smsu.edu, or sign up at the SMSU Counseling & Testing Services in BA 156 by phone at 537-7150.
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