SUNY Potsdam

What does becoming a Wellness Advocate entail?

First, you need to have a genuine interest in helping people and secondly, be willing to devote a semester towards training. The training is an intense part of becoming part of the Peer Counseling program and its goal is to teach you basic listening, response and helping skills. Training occurs each Fall semester.

Trainees can expect hand's on activities and discussions throughout the semester. Skills are practiced continuously through role-plays. Trainees are expected to be open and honest with their group members. Trust is typically earned quickly due to the intensity of the program and the topics discussed. All personal information shared within training is strictly confidential. Any trainee that breaches confidentiality of a group member will be dismissed from the program immediately.

In order to complete training, all trainees must successfully complete a final role-play. This "final exam" consists of individual role-play with the coordinator or trainers regarding a high risk situation. Trainees will be expected to assist the "student" through their situation and follow the proper procedure for enlisting professional mental or medical health assistance.

Training Results - Training will conclude with one of the following results for each trainee:
   1. Successful completion: ready to hold office hours the following semester
   2. Conditional completion: needs more supervision before assisting students
   3. Failure to complete: is not ready to assist students, is welcome to re-train