Do you want to be a Mental Health Peer?

Being a part of the Mental Health Peer Program (MHPP) is a great job in which you will learn a lot about peer counseling, wellness, and campus resources through direct training with psychologists and other mental health providers. You will also help a lot of your fellow students manage their stress and be successful academically and socially! 

Our 2021-2022 application is now closed


GENERAL INFORMATION
  • 1 academic year (Fall, Winter, & Spring Quarter) commitment required
  • Work 10-12hrs/wk with additional hours available
  • Applicants MUST be available to attend mandatory training (To be Determined based on COVID restrictions)
  • Position may require some late night, evening, and weekend work.
  • Position includes special projects and community outreach​

Applications for Academic Year 2021-2022 are now closed. More information and application instructions for Fall 2023 will be posted during Winter quarter 2022. 

For questions related to the application process, please email Gladys Koscak at ggmk@ucsb.edu 

What does a Mental Health Peer do?

Under the general direction of the Mental Health Peer Program Coordinator and the CAPS Mental Health Specialist/Mental Health Peer Program Supervisor, the Mental Health Peers (MHPs) contribute to the overall mission of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to help the student body achieve academic, social and personal success by providing direct services to students (e.g., relaxation areas, School Anxiety Program session, peer-to-peer counseling), and culturally-tailored prevention & education programming. MHPs also serve as a liaison between CAPS and the UC Santa Barbara campus community and are expected to abide by all HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality requirements.

MHP DUTIES
  • OFFICE HOURS. Mental Health Peers are expected to work an average of 10 hours per week for 10 weeks of the quarter (hours may vary and be project-specific, rather than office-based during COVID restriction time). MHPP operational hours are determined on a quarter by quarter basis based on the availability of the current MHPs.
  • OUTREACH. MHPs take part in campus-wide outreach efforts which require a good deal of planning and organization. Duties include educating students about mental health resources on campus through tabling at various campus events and fairs (dependent on safety and COVID restrictions), developing a liaison project with different areas of campus, disseminating information through campus newsletters, and updating our website. Peers co-lead workshops during the quarter. These workshops are for student groups, organizations, and clubs including sororities and fraternities, campus residence halls, and athletic teams. Attendance at the workshops can range from 5 to 200 students. Peers should demonstrate an ability to lead groups and make presentations. They will also help with advertising our School Anxiety Program by making announcements, contacting professors, and coordinating with Housing and Residential Services.
  • STAFF MEETINGS. There are weekly staff meetings and monthly professional development meetings that are mandatory. Meetings are scheduled each quarter after individual class schedules are confirmed. These meetings will provide MHPs with direction and supervision, as well as provide an opportunity to develop new skills and resume building experiences.

If you are interested and have any questions about the job, you can email MHP Program Supervisor, Gladys Koscak, at ggmk@ucsb.edu. 

Other Ways to be a Mental Health Advocate on Campus

  • UCSB Active Minds is part of a national organization that aims to destigmatize mental health on college campuses. Each week, they hold meetings where they discuss various mental health. In addition, this quarter they will be hosting events around campus including ‘Stress Less Week’ and ‘Stigma Free UCSB’. If you are passionate about mental health and interested in getting more involved with the club, consider joining the Active Minds Advocate Program. Active Minds Advocates will be active members and will help with event planning. If you are interested and want to learn more, stop by their meetings on Tuesdays at 7pm in the First Floor Conference Room of the SRB. Follow them on Facebook (Active Minds @ UCSB) and Instagram (activemindsucsb)

  • UCSB Mental Health Conference. Associated Students has a committee that plans the annual mental health conference every year. For more information or to get involved, please reach out to Associated Students. 

  • UCSB Commission on Student Well-Being. The A.S. Commission on Student Well Being was founded in Fall 2008, and is a body concerned with the general well-being of UCSB undergraduate students. COSWB is the first of its kind and hopes to inspire other universities and colleges to incorporate the interest of the student population's well-being into their student government! Its purpose is to increase awareness, educate, advocate and serve as a reference point for student social services, such as counseling, on campus and locally. Additionally, the commission will create and promote programs focused on providing a positive, comfortable and educational learning experience for all on campus. Facebook   Instagram
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  • UCSB Health & Wellness. UCSB Department of Health & Wellness promotes the mental, physical and social health of all students by enhancing individual skills and positive relationships with families, peers and the UCSB & Isla Vista community. The Department of Health & Wellness' staff works within a comprehensive research-based framework to foster healthy campus learning environments that nurture optimal student development, resilience and well-being. The Department of Health & Wellness is committed to supporting a diverse campus environment. All of our events are open to the whole UCSB student body and we encourage everyone to participate in our services.