UNDERSTANDING CONFIDENTIALITY
Whether you are a peer helper or a friend, you must know when to keep confidential or to tell/ask somebody else.
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Confidentiality is at utmost importance to us at Peer Helpers. It keeps the privacy in a conversation. No personal information that may allude to the student will be presented (this includes age and name). This to create a safe space for students to talk about anything and everything and to get support without fear of judgment or penalty. Students discuss many experiences with counselors that may include substance use, sexual activity, and concerns about illegal or other behavior that might violate the student conduct code.
WHO WILL KNOW IF I’M SEEING A COUNSELLOR OR PEER HELPER?
Confidentiality is kept between the student and the sole peer helper. Issues discussed may be brought up outside, but will have no link to the student.
IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS CONFIDENTIALITY BROKEN?
There are only 3 circumstances in which confidentiality would be broken. This is if the peer helper sees a serious physical threat and danger if the student is:
being physically harmed by someone else
hurting somebody else
currently severely harming themselves and placing their life at risk
If this happens, a peer helper will approach an adult counselor for assistance and guidance.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO KNOW?
This is important to know when approaching a peer counselor and understanding their boundaries. This is to understand that Peer Helpers aims to create a supporting and judgement free zone away from outside opinion. Furthermore, understand that this is also a very good guideline for keeping confidentiality with your own friends and when to approach an adult.
