Finding Strength in Shared Experience
There’s power in peer support. One in Five’s peer mentoring program empowers youth to understand their lived experiences and build knowledge and skills to mentor and inspire others.
Peer support relationships are uniquely positioned to offer special forms of empathy, connection and encouragement as peer mentors can truly walk alongside their mentees in dealing with mental health challenges, sharing individualized encouragement and practical tools and strategies based on real-life experience. This is an especially critical link for youth, since peer mentors in the same age range may better understand the specific challenges and barriers faced, may have firsthand knowledge of the services and supports available and may place greater emphasis on supporting connections to peers, school and family than traditional service models.
One in Five’s model provides a safe and empowering framework for implementing these peer support programs in schools and other youth-based settings.
Program Overview
The One in Five peer mentoring program is an innovative school-based initiative that supports youth living with mental health challenges by leveraging the power of peer support and connection. Our evidence-based models are designed in close partnership with youth and rooted in a core belief that all youth are strong, resilient and capable of thriving beyond their condition. The peer mentoring program empowers youth to understand their mental health challenges and become inspiration and support for others.
The Benefits
For Youth
Normalizes discussions of mental health and helps youth find value in themselves and their lived experiences
Encourages participants to become peer leaders and advocates for mental health within their community
Provides dedicated time during the school day to engage with a trusted peer mentor who is focused on mental health and well-being
Illuminates and clarifies the ways in which to give and receive support from peers and community
In some programs, mentor participants receive a stipend as compensation for their work.
For Youth-Serving Organizations
Acts as a complement to school-based youth mental health services, promoting youth leadership, empowerment and well-being
Program is seamlessly integrated into the school day, reducing burden on administrators and teachers
Flexibility to serve afterschool programs, camps, and other non-school day settings
Weekly practice sessions under the guidance of a trained supervisor offer visibility into the peer relationships
Continuous feedback loops ensure participants are supported in their growth and development throughout the program
Testimonials
This is the power of peer support.
“I cannot express how grateful I am for the One in Five mentor's input and guidance with his mentee. It is truly a privilege and pleasure to see the young people we serve "rise up" and lead one another...encourage one another to learn from mistakes and build on excellence for their future.”
— Partner school positive behavior support team member
“I'm no longer afraid to bring mental health up or worried about what people might think. I helped one student, who isn't even my mentee, who I was sure was getting themself in trouble.”
— Partner school peer mentor
How it Works
The peer mentoring program operates through the full school year, during school hours, with opportunities for students to engage with the program for multiple hours. Each week, peer mentors have opportunities to learn and practice skills with their fellow peer mentors, and then try out their new skills working with their mentees. Practice sessions are part of the One in Five curriculum that is mapped to the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters.
The curriculum is centered around mental health awareness, resilience building, peer support skills and leadership and advocacy. Participants receive regular feedback from their cohort and supervisor.
This approach not only aids in the immediate well-being of students but also contributes to a broader cultural shift within schools towards understanding and addressing mental health proactively.
Get Started
Ready to bring the power of peer-based support to your school or organization? It’s easy to get started, and One in Five is here to help every step of the way. You’ll be amazed at what happens when youth find strength in their shared experiences.