Mental Health Peer Advocates

Mental Health Peer Advocates at Heartland Community College work one-on-one with their peers to help bring them into wellness by:

  • Serving as role models and openly sharing their wellness experience
  • Introducing peer to Counseling Services and being their go-between
  • Aiding peers in finding basic needs and important services/resources at HCC and in the community
  • Setting goals with peers and being there while they achieve them

Meet our Mental Health Peer Advocates:  

  • Erin C.
  • Emma M.
  • Anna M.

Job Description

Are you interested in becoming a Mental Health Peer Advocate? You may have many questions about what it means to be a Mental Health Peer Advocate, we hope to answer the basics here. For more information, email Student Counseling and Wellness Services at counseling@heartland.edu

What is Peer Advocating? 

The Mental Health Peer Advocates are a free, confidential, and anonymous service available to all HCC students who wish to share a problem, need referral information, or just want to talk to an unbiased listener. The service is staffed by student volunteers who are trained active listeners and who are knowledgeable about the campus resources available to assist students. 

What qualities do I need to be a Mental Health Peer Advocates?

Mental Health Peer Advocates should be dedicated, empathetic, and committed to helping others. We want individuals who are able to solve problems without sharing personal information, experiences, opinions or values.

What are the requirements and expectations to be a Mental Health Peer Advocate?

There is an application and interviewing process along with mandatory, intensive training. Each student is expected to be on shift for between 2 - 4 hours per week. There are also mandatory bi-weekly staff meetings designed to help refine active listening skills.

Apply to be a Mental Health Peer Advocate

Contact Us

Contact Information

Student Counseling and Wellness Services

Phone: 309-268-8390

Email: Counseling@heartland.edu

Located in WDC 2200

Appointment Information

Click the button below to get appointment information.

Appointment Information

Confidentiality

All interactions between students and counselors are strictly confidential and are not subject to disclosure without a student's written permission.