“A Basic Guide on Peer Helping”, a first-of-its-kind publication by a Singapore educational institution, is a book that provides useful information for mental health practitioners and professionals in schools and institutions.  It is the collective effort of four SMU counsellors based on their shared experiences and valuable insights gathered from years of running a highly-successful Peer Helping programme at SMU.

On 18 January 2013, which coincided with SMU’s 13^th Patron’s Day - another joyous and significant occasion celebrated with pomp and ceremony by the SMU community, “A Basic Guide to Peer Helping”  was launched as a precursor to the impending official opening of the Mrs Wong Kwok Leong Student Wellness Centre in early April.  Located at the basement Concourse, the new Centre is named after the well-respected 74-year-old philanthropist,  who pledged a generous gift of S$1.6 million in the form of an endowed donation to SMU.

SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer said, “Since inception, SMU has taken great pride in developing in our students the responsibility not only for themselves, but for the community at large. A kind heart and character will serve them well long after they leave school.  We want to nurture our students to have the heart to serve and to help others with the skills and know-how that they have acquired.”

“As we focus on providing our students with a world-class education, let us not forget the importance of developing and nurturing their ability to be resilient.  An effective way is by providing a platform for the peers to help their fellow peers through a comprehensive programme,” he added.

The SMU Peer Helping initiative has been at the forefront in the provision of mental health and wellness programmes for students since it began in 2003. It remains Singapore’s first and only formally-structured peer-helping programme for the education sector.

“Young people nowadays are constantly facing stresses and strains - from their studies, their peers, their parents, and very often the high expectations they have set for themselves. We need to help them acquire and develop the critical skills to cope with such pressures, because their well-being determines the well-being of our society today and tomorrow,” said  Guest-of-Honour Mrs Wong Kwok Leong at the event. 

The book launch was attended by some 100 guests, including the friends and supporters of Mrs Wong, partner organisations such as Health Promotion Board and Citi, past and current SMU peer helpers, representatives of educational institutions such as ITE, NTU, Raffles Institution and Temasek Polytechnic, and SMU management and staff. 

[Photo caption:  Mrs Wong Kwok Leong (left), who pledged a generous gift to SMU, unveiling the book on “A Basic Guide to Peer Helping” with SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer (right) at the launch event.]