A program by ThriveWay

Give students the skills to support one another

Peer Helpers PLUS is a comprehensive suicide prevention and peer support program that helps students make healthy choices, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships. Grant Halliburton Foundation helps schools bring the program to their campuses through prevention education, student leadership, and adult guidance.

Bring it to your school See how it works
Four high school students laughing and talking in a library
Connection can open the door to support
Schoolwide preventionStudent leadershipConnections to support

The program

Two parts working toward a more connected school

Prevention education gives every student practical life skills. Peer support prepares student leaders to offer encouragement and help classmates connect with trusted adults.

Tier 1 · All students · Grades K–12

P.A.T.H.

Prevention & Awareness for Total Health

Schoolwide, grade-level prevention education helps students build resilience and develop the character traits and life skills to navigate everyday challenges.

  • Make healthy choices and build positive relationships.
  • Practice coping, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
  • Learn about bullying, abuse, mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use.
Watch how P.A.T.H. works
Tier 2 · Student peer support

Peer Helpers

Connection, encouragement, and early support

A diverse group of students learns a core set of skills to recognize concerns, communicate supportively, and assist classmates who may be struggling.

  • Listen with empathy and offer encouragement.
  • Build belonging through mentoring and peer leadership.
  • Recognize when to connect a classmate with a trusted adult.
Explore the program brochure

Support for the challenges students face
Bullying, divorce and family changes, family illness, body image, grief, coping, mental health, depression, housing instability, risky behaviors, and academic struggles.

Higher-risk needsReferralsAdult and professional support
Tier 2 · At-risk studentsPeer HelpersPeer support, early intervention, and response to intervention (RTI)
Tier 1 · All studentsP.A.T.H.Schoolwide prevention and social-emotional learning
PortalCurricula and data
CoachProgram support
The portal and a coach support both program tiers.

How support connects

Student connection, backed by adult support

Students often turn to one another when they need help. Peer-to-peer training gives them the skills to notice concerns, respond with care, and connect a classmate with an adult who can help.

Peer Helpers offer encouragement through tutoring, mentoring, mediation, and advocacy. They also welcome students who are new to a school or community.

  • Connecting
  • Listening
  • Understanding
  • Coping
  • Referring

Bring it to your campus

A program that fits your school

Offer Peer Helpers as a club or elective course. Our team can help you plan for your students, staff, and school community.

Talk with our team
High school students talking with a teacher outdoors

  1. Plan for your campus

    Discuss your goals, grade levels, staffing, and program needs.

  2. Prepare your coordinators

    Training helps the adults leading the program get ready to guide and support student Peer Helpers.

  3. Launch with support

    Build your student team and introduce prevention education and peer support on campus.

  4. Keep your program growing

    Use coaching, program resources, and data to track progress and support your school’s work.

Explore the program’s evidence
Peer Helpers PLUS is listed in the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practices Registry.

View the registry listing

Hear from schools

See peer support in practice

Hear from students

Questions from schools

Explore the fit for your campus

Start with the basics, then connect with our team to talk through your school’s goals and next steps.

More from the program developer

ThriveWay develops Peer Helpers PLUS. Explore its program resources, then talk with the Foundation about bringing it to your school.

Explore ThriveWay’s program Read ThriveWay’s FAQs
How do the two program tiers work together?

P.A.T.H. provides prevention education for all students in grades K–12. Peer Helpers adds trained student leaders who offer support and connect classmates with trusted adults. Both components are included in one program, with portal access and coaching.

Who teaches P.A.T.H., and how long are lessons?

Lessons typically take 20–30 minutes and include scripts, activities, handouts, educator overviews, and parent letters. They are designed for educators across campus, without requiring a mental health credential.

What do student Peer Helpers learn?

Training focuses on connecting, listening, understanding, coping, and referring. Peer Helpers learn to recognize concerns, offer encouragement, and know when adult support is needed.

Can we offer it as a club or class?

Yes. Peer Helpers PLUS can be implemented as a club or elective course. Our team can help you consider the format, staffing, and program approach for your campus.

What staffing and training are needed?

School staff train as program coordinators to lead implementation and guide student Peer Helpers. We can help you plan for staffing and training before launch.

What resources and ongoing support are available?

ThriveWay’s portal provides curriculum, activity logs, and reports to help schools track progress. A designated program coach offers ongoing guidance. The Foundation helps schools plan, prepare coordinators, and launch locally.

How do we get started, and what does it cost?

Program access uses an annual subscription per school. Share your campus needs through our interest form, and we’ll discuss implementation, training, and costs for your school or district.

Ask about your school

Bring Peer Helpers PLUS to your school

Tell us about your campus and what you hope to build. Our team will help you explore how prevention education and peer support can work in your school community.

Let’s connect

Peer Helpers PLUS

 

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