Washington State University
11/01/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/01/2024 07:08
Peer health education boosts training and support for student staff
The Health Education Program on the Washington State University Pullman campus is adding individualized training to its repertoire and strengthening support for student staff as the demand for its services continues to grow.
The Health Education Program features 20 student peer health educators (PHEs) who provide training and facilitate dialogue on health topics often deemed stigmatized but relevant to student lives - interpersonal violence, substance use, and mental health. The program also provides peer educators valuable skills development in critical thinking, interpersonal communications, public speaking, and applying theoretical frameworks.
Bekah MillerMacPhee, assistant director for Health Education, said while group training will be a mainstay, her staff recognized a need for individualized health education for students who may not feel comfortable participating in group training.
"We are investing in staff training, preparation, and securing space for one-to-one consultations," MillerMacPhee said.
The program is also increasing wages for peer health educators who are entering their fourth semester in the program and planning to send the educators to a national conference where they can learn from others and share the work they are doing.
Strategic decision leads to new opportunities
The upgrades to the Peer Health Education Program are made possible by a recent $11,000 reallocation authorized by the Services and Activities (S&A) Fees Committee. The money was originally designated for Cougar Safe Rides, but after much deliberation, the decision was made to discontinue the program. Cougar Safe Rides, originally called Women's Transit, had been operating on campus since 1978.
"As much as we loved Cougar Safe Rides and relished its long history on campus, we determined the program was not sustainable," said Amy Sharp, director of the Women*s Center. "Also, data shows there is no correlation between sexual assaults on campus and being able to get a ride home at night."
Another factor considered in the decision was the downward trend in ridership since the COVID-19pandemic. The number of rides provided dropped from over 2,000 during the spring semester of 2019 to 400 during the 2023-24 academic year. Cougar Safe Rides gave its last ride in the spring of 2024.
Sharp asked the S&A Fees Committee to redirect the Cougar Safe Rides allocation to the Peer Health Education Program and the committee unanimously agreed.
Redirecting the funds towards a more effective and sustainable solution is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the WSU community.
Tania Henriques, studentASWSU president and student chair of the S&A Committee
Washington State University
Tania Henriques, Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) president and student chair of the S&A Committee, said she is saddened by the discontinuation of Cougar Safe Rides, but is pleased the committee voted to redirect its funding to support a program already making a positive impact on campus.
"Redirecting the funds towards a more effective and sustainable solution is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the WSU community," Henriques said. "It will greatly help the peer educators meet the growing demand on campus for peer-facilitated education."
Sharp has had the opportunity to observe the peer educators in action and said there is no better example of Cougs helping Cougs.
"They are eager to share information with students and do a great job talking about important topics that often don't get discussed," Sharp said. "This funding will help strengthen their work and I feel very good about how it will be used."
Millermacphee said the PHEs are consistently praised by the Health Education staff, but to have another campus office recommend the Cougar Safe Ride funds be redirected to support them speaks loudly.
"Even more so, the S&A Fees Committee, made up of students, approving this recommendation is a clear indication that the work our PHEs do is valuable to the population they serve," MillerMacPhee said. "It's the best kind of feedback."