Peer Support Programme

In 2004 EDEN initiated a pilot programme in some schools for students interested in becoming peer educators. The goals involved in being a peer educator are to examine and transform student’s own body dissatisfaction through education and reflection, and to role model critical thinking to their peers regarding the conflicting messages they receive about their bodies and appetites. Peer educators have opportunities to provide education to other students through the production of information resources and through presentations/ workshops. Peer educators also act as critical observers of their environments and provide feedback on any changes that they would like to see within their school that would potentially promote body satisfaction.

This peer education focus fits with Huon et al’s, 1996 suggestion that the goal of school prevention programmes “ought to be to facilitate the skill development of young people to respond positively to the challenges of their environment, including but not exclusively those that persuade young women [and men] to alter their body by dieting. By acquiring competencies for critically appraising all aspects of the diet culture, they could be encouraged to recognize that a competence-enhancing environment offers choices or options about whether to diet or not”.

If you would like more information on the Peer Support Programme or any other of EDEN’s school based services please contact us.