Peer Support Circles Discussion Guide

This discussion guide is designed to facilitate meaningful, peer-led conversations among students in grades 7-12. The aim is to create a safe, respectful, and confidential space where students can share personal challenges, build empathy, and enhance their communication skills.

Guidelines and Ground Rules

• Confidentiality: Everything shared in the discussion remains within the group. Remind everyone that respect and trust are the foundation of these circles.
  
  
  

• Respect and Active Listening: Listen without interruption. Acknowledge different perspectives and offer support rather than judgment.
  
  
  

• Equal Participation: Encourage each participant to share by rotating roles (e.g., facilitator, note-taker, timekeeper) to ensure everyone is actively involved.
  
  
  

• Speak From Personal Experience: Use 'I' statements to express personal feelings and experiences, which helps keep the discussion personal and grounded.
  
  
  

• Time Awareness: Stay on track during discussions; if a topic is taking too long, the group facilitator may gently steer the conversation back to the prompt.

Discussion Prompts

These prompts are meant to ignite conversation while ensuring that each participant feels comfortable and supported:

1. Overcoming Challenges:

   • Prompt: "What is a recent challenge you overcame, and what did you learn from that experience?"
   • Follow-Up: Ask how this experience might help others within the group facing similar issues.
     
     
     

2. Handling Stress:

   • Prompt: "How do you typically manage stress or difficult emotions?"
   • Follow-Up: Encourage sharing coping strategies or support systems that have been effective.
     
     
     

3. Valuing Peer Support:

   • Prompt: "What type of support do you appreciate most from your peers?"
   • Follow-Up: Discuss real-life examples of effective peer support and brainstorm how the group might implement these practices.
     
     
     

4. Personal Growth:

   • Prompt: "How has sharing or listening in these circles helped you grow or see things differently?"
   • Follow-Up: Reflect on personal changes and the importance of being part of a supportive network.
     
     
     

Structure of Peer-Led Sharing Sessions

• Group Formation: Break the class into small groups for more intimate discussions. Each group should rotate roles to ensure everyone leads and participates.

• Role Responsibilities:

  • Facilitator: Guides the conversation, ensures everyone gets a turn, and steers discussions back on topic if needed.
  • Note-Taker: Jots down key points, helping capture important ideas and themes.
  • Timekeeper: Keeps track of time during each session to ensure all prompts are covered without feeling rushed.

Debrief and Reflection

After the group sessions, bring everyone together for a whole class discussion:

• Ask for volunteers to share insights or reflections from their small group sessions.
  
  
  
• Summarize the key takeaways:
  • The value of active listening and respectful dialogue.
  • How different coping strategies and support systems can benefit everyone.
  • The overall importance of peer support in overcoming personal challenges.

Final Reminders

• Confidentiality and Respect: Continue to uphold these values, both during and after the discussion.
  
  
  
• Encouragement: Acknowledge all contributions and emphasize that every shared experience adds value.
  
  
  
• Ongoing Support: Remind students that these circles are a part of a continuous effort to foster mutual support, and encourage them to seek help or continue the conversation outside of these sessions if needed.

Use this guide to help facilitate the discussion, and refer to the Peer Support Circles Lesson Plan and Slide Deck for Discussion Prompts for additional structure and visual support.

Happy facilitating, and thank you for helping create a supportive community!