Diverse Minds Peer Education

General Information

Who Are We

Diverse Minds Peer Educators are student leaders from the Counseling Center committed to educate their peers about the intersection of one’s social identities and how it relates to their mental health. Our peer educators seek to create space for conversation around how one’s lived experience as member of marginalized communities can impact their mental health.  Most of all, we seek to highlight how many students with minoritized identity(ies) continue to thrive despite the many challenges they may face.

What We Do

• Increase awareness about minority mental health
• Remove cultural stigma surrounding mental health in marginalized communities
• Break down barriers to help-seeking
• Foster resiliency through skill-building activities

Examples include:

• Tabling Outreach (in-person/virtual): organizing and assisting with tabling outreach
• Workshops/Presentations: deliver interactive FCM workshops, classroom, and student group presentations on various topics related to mental health, coping and resilience building skills, etc.
• Signature Events (in-person/virtual): 
• In-Person: #MinorityMentalHealth Awareness Week, Splash The Stigma, Better In Color Paint & Sip, etc.
• Virtual: IG LIVE! Healing Lounge Series
• Social Media Campaign: #TigersSpringIntoSelfCare

DMPs work closely with other peer education programs at the Counseling Center to create and promote relevant events.  

Peer educators are encouraged to generate new programming ideas based on the current needs of the campus. 

Getting Involved

Training

Our peer educators receive extensive training in skills related to leadership, program development, needs assessment, and evaluation.

They are also trained to promote information through outreach events in the following two broad areas:

1. Awareness about myths vs. realities of minority mental health; challenging cultural stigma surrounding mental health in marginalized communities
2. Promoting resilience in diverse student groups

Why Participate?

• You will be able to develop leadership, networking, public speaking, marketing, and presentation skills, and more. All of which could be helpful in your future career
• You will develop skills to engage in and navigate sensitive conversations pertaining to mental health and systemic oppression
• You will increase your own awareness about mental health issues and educate others as well as advocate for your peers who may need access to mental health services
• You will meet other students and form new and meaningful friendships
• Lastly, this is a student leadership position that would look great on your resume

Workshops & Programs

Interested in one of our Peer Educator workshops or programs? 

Guidelines

• Requests must be made with at least 3-week notice
• Workshops range between 30 minutes - 60 minutes and require A/V
• Presentations marked with an asterik (*) can be tailored to a specific population of interest
• At this time, all workshops and programs will run via Zoom or Webex 

View our workshops and submit your requests below.

Workshops & Programs Menu

Black Mental Health 101: Wellness (Re)Imagined*

Guided discussion about the myths and realities of Black mental health, stressors unique to Black & African American communities and more. Students will explore how their racial identities intersect with their mental well-being and learn how to strengthen their mental health. 

Breaking Silence, Breaking Stigma*

Interactive workshop to critically examine cultural stigma around mental illness in communities of color other minoritized communities as well as its detrimental impact on help-seeking behavior. Suggestions for ways to reduce stigma will be provided. 

Beating the Odds: Working Through Stereotype Threat & Impostorism*

Societal and media messages as well as stereotypes can affect one’s self-perception and self-efficacy.  In this program, students will learn how to combat these messages and work on appreciating their strengths. 

Did You Really Just Say That? 

An interactive discussion that is focused on recognizing and challenging microaggression. Students learn strategies to confront microaggressions, whether they are a target, bystander, or perpetrator. 

 

Social Media

Instagram: @diversemindstu

Twitter: @DiverseMindsTU

Facebook: Diverse Minds Peer Educators

Involved@TU: Diverse Minds Peer Education