Here to Lend a Listening Ear

By Isabelle Luke

Sometimes people just need a listening ear and for that, the Peer Listeners club is here to help.

Peer Listeners provide students with the opportunity to have someone hear what they have to say, whether it is about stress, school, friends, or just life in general. Members of the staff go through a training day to learn how to handle different situations that could arise during a meeting with a student. They are instructed to begin each session with the disclaimer that everything said during that time will remain confidential unless the student mentions hurting themselves, hurting others, or someone hurting them. This vow of confidentiality tends to help students feel more comfortable talking about what they want to say, in part because it allows a certain bond between the student and their Peer Listener. 

This year, the staff is 39 members strong, with a number of different personality types, enabling the best match for those who wish to talk. While students are not allowed to pick their own Peer Listener, advisor, Mrs. Mulheisen, takes careful considerations in choosing which member goes with which student. Typically boys are matched with other boys, and girls to girls, but should they feel more comfortable talking with someone of the opposite gender, Mulheisen will take that into account. Mulheisen wishes that the program got more use because she feels that, “it’s so beneficial for kids to talk to other kids that are having bad days or just need some advice.”

Peer Listeners also hold a number of events with the students from the Special Education Department. A few times a month Peer Listeners will have a luncheon with some of the Special Education students, as well as going to basketball and football games with them. Mulheisen says that these events are important because “[the Special Education students] need to interact with other students that are more social.” 

Mulheisen believes that regardless of whether students use it or not, “having this program for our school is great no matter if kids use [it].” Students are able to set up an appointment with a Peer Listener by talking to Mulheisen in the SRC where they can schedule a time that works for them during the school day.

Photo courtesy of Mary O’Connor

Share on Google Plus