Helping skills for peer counsellors

Peer counsellors in schools should be equipped with better helping skills as they play a useful role in reaching out to their fellow students. 

“The peer counsellors in my school extend a helping hand to their school mates with personal issues or difficulties. They also refer cases to our counselling department for further assistance. 

“They need to hone their helping skills to carry out their good work more effectively,” said Lee Bee Far, SMK Bukit Mertajam school counsellor. 

DISTED psychology lecturer Foo Pei Lynn (right), who is also a clinical psychologist, imparting knowledge of helping skills to SMK Bukit Mertajam peer counsellors at their school.

On 20 June 2012, Lee invited DISTED College to give a talk on counselling skills to her peer counsellors, which was conducted by the college’s psychology lecturer Foo Pei Lynn, who is also a clinical psychologist. 

“Counselling helps people to resolve personal conflicts and emotional problems, and promote learning, healing and growth,” Foo said. 

She imparted insights into the counselling process, the helping relationship, helping skills and peer crisis response. 

Foo also provided examples of distress signs that could help the peer counsellors to identify personal crisis within them or faced by their school mates. 

“Identifying the source of their troubles can indicate if they require consultation with the school counsellors or even professional help,” she said 

She pointed out that help could also be obtained from community resources as the counselling and crisis hotline serviced by the Befrienders. 

SMK Bukit Mertajam peer counsellors at the talk on counselling skills conducted by DISTED at their school.

As to her talk, she commented: “It was a pleasure to speak to the high school students who are peer counsellors.” 

“As they share similar values, experiences and lifestyle with their school friends, they’re in a better position to create the rapport and trust needed by help givers,” Foo said. 

Student Edward Ong remarked: “The talk has given me broader ideas to handle situations where my school friends need a listening ear.”

SMK Bukit Mertajam peer counsellors (back row, from left) Chua Song Ren, Edward Ong, Teh Boon Shean, Edwin Ong, Teh Yee Ning, Chong Yee Hau, Kang Hoay Yong and Lim Jie Hui posing with (seated, from left) DISTED marketing executive Ivan Ooi Wee Liang, the speaker and DISTED psychology lecturer Foo Pei Lynn and their school counsellor Lee Bee Far.