Description:
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The SUU Counseling and Psychological Services Mental Health Support Peer position is a part-time undergraduate-level direct support position administrated by the SUU CAPS Office and housed in the SUU Wellness Center, a unit of SUU Student Affairs. The SUU CAPS Mental Health Support Peer is responsible for outreach and responsive support to SUU students who identify as struggling with a mental health challenge. Peers meet with students individually, in dyads, and in group meetings. Peer Mentors are knowledgeable university and community guides and outreach educators who share supportive skills and tools and connect students with resources in support of holistic mental wellness.
SUU CAPS Peer Mental Health Support Program Mission:
Southern Utah University Counseling and Psychological Services (SUU CAPS) Mental Health Support Peers are skill and tool trained Psychology Seniors at Southern Utah University working under the leadership of the clinical staff at SUU CAPS and the mentorship of the SUU Psychology Department. Mental Health Support Peers work alongside students experiencing mental health challenges. Peer Mentors support students through group and individual outreach in order to teach and transfer mental wellness skills in the service of connecting students with clinical supports/therapeutic alliance. SUU CAPS Peer Mental Health Support Workers also refer students to campus and community wellness resources, lead and deliver outreach education on student mental wellness, and work in collaboration with the SUU ACES Team, The SUU Care and Support Team and The SUU Wellness Center to provide students with wraparound and intersected opportunities for success and belonging at Southern Utah University.
SUU CAPS Peer Mental Health Support Program Peer Team:
The SUU CAPS Peer Mental Health Support Peer Team will be comprised of a diverse group of senior Psychology Major Students who have successfully completed mental wellness skill-supporting psychology courses
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Aware of institutional academic tools, campus and community services and resources and able to provide basic advising to students on personal and academic concerns.
Completes institutional training such as FERPA, Title IX, Diversity and Inclusion Trainings.
Completes Mental Health specific trainings as part of the position requirement for fall 2019 semester and is able to transfer knowledge and teach tools in support of student well-being.
Supports and educates students within student development theory and practice.
Consults with appropriate SUU CAPS personnel on individual student concerns and meets weekly for supervision.
Collaborates on program delivery, evaluation and development responsive to students' developmental needs and with awareness of established and shifting institutional culture.
Works individually and in groups.
Utilizes Peer Program Mental Health Tool Kit – an online and hard copy resource informed by SUU CAPS training curricula.
Performs other related duties as may be assigned including liaising with appropriate SUU and community departments and services and representing SUU CAPS Peer Mental Health Support Program at on and off-campus events.
Peers work about 10 hours per week, but since this is a pilot program, we will need to be open and responsive around both Peer and Program need.
TEAM PARTICIPATION:
Participates in Fall and Spring semester activities.
Attends regular supervision and Peer Team Meetings.
Maintains standards of professional conduct in accordance with Campus and with SUU CAPS Policies, Standards and Guidelines.
Participate in formal program evaluations.
COMPENSATION:
This position may be used as a Psychology Major Capstone Internship.
Qualifications:
- Have developed tools and skills for emotional support and able to navigate and collaborate in times of stress and ambiguity.
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Have successfully completed psychology courses in support of direct support work.
- Demonstrated awareness of mental health challenges in the context of university community.
- Work and/or academic experience in the field of mental health.
- Possess experience in planning, participating and collaborating as a team member, and have knowledge of campus and community resources.
- Must be in good standing with the University.
- Works within student development theory and practice.
Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume to be considered