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The LifeSaver Program |
“To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world”
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THE LIFESAVER BELIEF SYSTEM
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Peer Helping: The Power and Efficacy of Peer-to-Peer Training
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Peer helpers work to strengthen the natural helping networks that exist within youth peer groups and act as a bridge between troubled youth and professional counsellors (White & Jodoin, pg. 115, Before-the-Fact). A selected legion of specially trained peer helpers positively contributes to the health of the school and community climate by increasing the quality and quantity of resources. In the area of youth suicide prevention, peer helpers are educated about depression and suicide; they are trained to identify youth in distress, provide a confidential listening ear, and most importantly ensure that a responsible adult is properly informed if suicide is suspected or indicated.
The power and efficacy of peer helping lies in the knowledge and recognition that youth are more likely to disclose their personal thoughts and feelings to their peers. Peer helpers naturally have their fingers on the pulse of the current climate of youth culture; sharing the same elaborate social environment comprised of pressure to experiment with drugs, confusion around emerging sexuality, academic pressures from school, parents, and colleges or universities, and the challenges of being a youth in an adult world. They have an inside view of the powerful influence of music, lyrics, music videos, movies, and other aspects of youth culture that is foreign to even the most astute and perceptive adult. Their mere presence in the trenches gains them a valuable sense of credibility that enhances their status as helpers and encourages youth to engage in open honest discussions free of adult judgement and misunderstanding.
Youth-related programs create opportunities for youth to develop valuable life skills such as leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, team-building, and task completion, while providing youth with the chance to work with other youth, forming meaningful relationships with peers who share common experiences and interests (White & Jodoin, pg. 203, “Before-the-Fact” Interventions). The LifeSaver concept incorporates the belief that youth are more likely to participate passionately in a program that recognizes the value of their contributions, offers them the opportunity to strengthen their skill base, and provides them with chances to adopt a meaningful role in their school and community. The program follows two particular ideals; whenever possible have youth train other youth, and encourage the process of “learn it, do it, teach it.”
Colleen Owens
Facilitator of the LifeSaver Program |
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YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION
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Although the main focus of the LifeSaver Program is youth suicide prevention, the program itself is built upon the foundation of resiliency, healthy coping skills that allow youth to experience and bounce back from hard times.
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Suicidal thoughts are generated by the inability to tolerate any more emotional or psychological pain.
Most people don’t want to die; they just want to end their pain.
~ Youth have a limited view of life – they believe that their unhappiness is a permanent condition – they don’t believe that anyone can help them, or that they have any choices beyond living in pain or by ending their lives.
~ The greatest most powerful deterrent to carrying out suicide in times of personal stress is a sense of involvement and identity with other people.
~ Suicide prevention means more than just understanding the signs and symptoms; we must promote volunteer activities for youth, work experience opportunities, encouraging youth to join leisure activities, encouraging youth to take an active part in community level decision making processes. |
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Resiliency as a Form of Youth Suicide Prevention |
“Resiliency is the capacity to respond, cope, and adapt successfully in the face of significant social, psychological, and economic stressors or risk factors. This capacity changes over time, enhanced by protective factors in the individual’s system and environment and contributes to the maintenance and enhancement of health.”
Suicide can be thought of as being on a continuum with suicide as the most drastic and permanent solution for dealing with pain, and resiliency as the most effective, healthy method of resolving pain.
Protective factors includes personal abilities to plan, flexibility, problem-solving skills, strong communication skills, the ability to find a sense of meaning in life, a positive outlook, a sense of humour, an internal locus of control, stress coping skills, and resourcefulness for seeking support.
The Lifesaver Team is composed of youth who are emotionally stable and demonstrate resiliency in their own lives. They are passionate about reaching out to their peers and providing guidance in the challenging areas faced by youth. |
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Resiliency Training teaches effective personal skills in the areas of: |
~ prosocial skills – interpersonal skills – active listening skills
~ developing a positive sense of self – self-respect
~ emotional recognition and regulation
~ anger management
~ assertiveness – boundary setting
~ stress management
~ problem-solving – decision making
~ conflict resolution
~ anxiety coping skills – positive self-talk
~ positive self-image
The Lifesaver Team teaches a program that explores a number of specific issues experienced by many students:
~ stress
~ relationships
~ negative self-image
~ stereo-types
~ gender issues
~ bullying - teasing
~ peer pressure
~ gossip
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