KOLEJ DISTED-STAMFORD NEWS
26 June 2009

Peer counselling training

Peer counsellors play an important role in helping their friends who encounter problems. 

“Peer counsellors are able to reach out to students who otherwise find it difficult to talk about their troubles to teachers,” said Rosie Oh, SMJK Heng Ee student counsellor. 

“So it’s essential for peer counsellors to hone their counselling skills to play their role more effectively,” she said. 

SMJK Heng Ee student counsellor Rosie Oh (second from right) with her peer counsellors at the counselling skills workshop conducted by DISTED.

In a discussion are SMJK Heng Ee peer counsellors (from left) Loh Yijing, Yeoh Kai Ru, Khoo Kah Hooi, Juvyn Khor Juoy Cang and Chew Sheng Wen.

Rosie accompanied 24 Form 1 to Form 6 peer counsellors from her school to the effective counselling skills workshop at DISTED College on 26 June 2009. 

“Students intending to be peer counsellors should be good listeners, helpful and with exemplary conduct.

“In my school, they have to go through an interview and 2-month probation,” she said. 

“Before helping their friends, peer counsellors should help themselves first. They need to be able to manage their emotions, show good behaviour and develop skills such as empathy,” Rosie said. 

Enjoying a workshop activity are SMJK Heng Ee peer counsellors (from left) Low Yong Seng, Tan Koon Chin, Chong Yi Cong and Soh Yi Man.

SMJK Heng Ee peer counsellors sharing their thoughts about problems faced by students.

The participants included fifth former Ng Peng Loon who has been a peer counsellor for 2 years. 

“I got involved in peer counselling as I saw a need to help others. If they don’t talk about their problems, their situations might worsen,” he said. 

“Relationship is one of key areas that give problems to those that I’ve assisted,” Ng said. 

“By helping others, I’ve learnt more about human behaviour and problems besides honing skills in communication and building rapport with people,” he added.  

SMJK Heng Ee peer counsellors attending the counselling skills workshop at DISTED.