Peer-to-Peer model for schools
In 2018, the Chris Collins Foundation partnered with the University of Michigan Depression Center to bring the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Awareness Program to Rhode Island schools. This is a student-led program built on the premise that teens are more likely to listen to their friends than to well-meaning adults. Click on the buttons below to learn more about the P2P program and scroll down to see how the program has grown in RI.
July 2018 Update: Both South Kingstown and Narragansett High School will participate in the Peer-to-Peer program for the 2018-19 school year. The foundation also met with staff at Amherst College, Chris’ alma mater, about a similar program for college students.
September 2018 Update: Student Peer-to-Peer team members attend an all-day training conference the last week in September and begin to build their mental health awareness campaign to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of mental illness and increase the likelihood of early detection and help-seeking.
June 2019 Update: The Peer-to-Peer program at South Kingstown and Narragansett high schools was a tremendous success, reaching more than 1500 students and staff. Also, Amherst College’s Mental Health and Wellness Team piloted a program called ProjectConnect to help reduce anxiety as students develop friendships across identities and social groups.
School year 2019/20
October 2019 Update: Student Peer-to-Peer mentors and school staff attend an all-day training conference and begin to build their mental health awareness campaigns for the 2019-20 school year.
April 2020 Update: Even though schools have moved to remote learning recently, the Peer-to-Peer groups continue to support and educate their fellow students about mental health through their social media pages.
June 2020 Update: At the end of May, the South Kingstown High School P2P group (along with their peers in Project Venue) present a 70-minute Virtual Open Mic Night as the culmination of their year-long Mental Health Awareness Campaign. The event combined great music and entertainment with important mental health messages.
School year 2020/21
November 2020 Update: Student Peer-to-Peer mentors and school staff attend a Zoom training conference and begin to build their mental health awareness campaigns for the 2020-21 school year. There will also be additional “booster” Zoom conferences in December and January.
Spring 2021 Update: Virtual and Hybrid learning presented challenges for the Peer-to-Peer program but students at both high schools were able to stay active with their in-school and social media campaigns. At the beginning of May, the P2P groups co-sponsored two terrific events -
NAMI Ending the Silence: 50-minute presentation designed for middle and high school students that includes warning signs, facts and statistics and how to get help for themselves, and
Supporting Our Children in the Age of Anxiety: A presentation and discussion of evidence-based strategies to support strong mental health and coping skills and reduce anxiety and other mental health concerns among children and adolescents.
School year 2021/22
October 2021 Update: Student P2P mentors from South Kingstown, Narragansett and North Kingstown high schools attended the annual P2P training seminar run by the University of Michigan Depression Center. We’re excited to have North Kingstown join us for the first time this year.
Spring 2022 Update: The South Kingstown, Narragansett and North Kingstown P2P groups had a terrific year with their Mental Health Campaigns in school, in the community and on social media.
School year 2022/23
We’re starting year 5 of Peer-to-Peer and our partnership with the University of Michigan Depression Center! This year the program has grown tremendously. P2P is now in 6 high schools and 3 middle schools in RI!!
School year 2022/23
September 2023 Update: We’re kicking off year 6 of P2P in Rhode Island, funding the program in 10 high schools and 5 middle schools. We start the school year with a daylong training conference for all P2P students and adult mentors, run by the University of Michigan Depression Center staff.