Depression Center's Peer-to-Peer Program Earns Gold Award from American Psychiatric Association

Program emphasizes early detection and prevention of mood disorders and anxiety through school-wide intervention for middle and high-schoolers

The Depression Center is honored to have received a Gold Award from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for its Peer-to-Peer (P2P) program. The P2P program, originally formed in 2009, is a student-to-student initiative that emphasizes early detection and prevention of mood disorders and anxiety through school-wide intervention.

Chuck Janda / American Psychiatry Association

The program seeks to raise awareness of mental health conditions, fight stigma, and encourage help-seeking behavior in order to ultimately reduce the impact of mental health conditions on adolescents. Since its launch, more than 1,100 P2P team members have delivered awareness-themed events and projects to thousands of students.

The P2P approach uses a "peer advocate" method, to train middle and high school students in understanding depression and anxiety, along with effective methods for reaching and listening to their peers. Students create awareness campaigns designed to address the unique needs of their school, in order to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking when needed.

Each P2P team works with Depression Center staff and school faculty, and the program includes a one-day training session at the start of the school year, with ongoing help with reviewing campaign plans and materials.

The program, which recently celebrated 10 years, was honored with a Psychiatric Services Achievement Award in the academic category. This award recognizes creative models of service delivery and innovative programs for persons with mental illness or disabilities.

“We are honored to have received this award from the APA,” said Stephanie Salazar, the Depression Center’s manager for education and outreach. “P2P has been growing since its inception and it’s thrilling to have been able to reach so many students through their student-led campaigns. It’s been so exciting to watch the student participants come up with individualized campaigns for their schools. The future is bright for P2P students across Michigan.”

In addition to its manual which is currently available for anyone to download, the P2P program recently launched an online resource guide available anyone here. The resource guide provides the tools schools may need to develop their own campaign, including a collection of past school campaigns. Those interested in the P2P program are encouraged to visit the site to learn more and to contact Stephanie Salazar ([email protected]) with any questions. The Peer-to-Peer program is in 28 middle and high schools throughout Washtenaw County and has expanded to high schools in Rhode Island as well.

Learn more about P2P: Student-led depression awareness program improves high schoolers' understanding & help-seeking, U-M study funds