By 1812Blockhouse
On March 17, a classroom at North Central State College will look a little different. Not because of new furniture or technology, but because of what’s happening inside it. Students will be training to support one another.
North Central State College, in partnership with NAMI On Campus, is hosting a Student Certified Peer Educator training through NASPA. The program is designed to equip students with practical tools in peer support, mental health awareness, and wellness leadership. It is not passive learning. It is skills-based, interactive, and structured. Full attendance is required to earn certification as a Wellness Ambassador.
A Structured Approach to Peer Leadership
The Certified Peer Educator program consists of eight modules focused on communication, crisis awareness, stigma reduction, and campus engagement. The goal is clear: empower students to serve as informed, confident advocates for mental wellness within their own academic community.
This is not therapy training. It is leadership development grounded in evidence-based student affairs practice. Students learn how to listen well, respond appropriately, and recognize when to refer someone to professional help. In a time when anxiety, stress, and isolation are widely reported across college campuses, peer support can be one of the most accessible first points of contact.
Event Details
• March 17
• 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
• 164 Fallerius
Lunch will be provided. The training is open to North Central State College students age 18 and older. Registration closes March 15.
Why This Matters
Peer influence on college campuses is powerful. Students often confide in one another long before they reach out to faculty or counseling services. When those peers are trained, the ripple effect can be significant.
Programs like this create visible culture change. They normalize conversations around mental health. They reduce stigma. They encourage help-seeking behavior. But here is the honest reality: the success of initiatives like this depends on participation. If only a handful of students show up, the impact will be limited. If student leaders, club officers, athletes, and resident assistants engage fully, the campus culture can shift meaningfully.
For more information, students can contact 419-522-6264 ext. 4 or email alexie@namirc.org.
On March 17 at 9:00 AM, a group of students will gather to learn how to show up for each other better. In the long run, that may matter more than any single class on their schedule.
Image by Total Shape from Pixabay
