New peer support program expands mental health care

This spring, Augustana College introduced a program called Peer Recovery Support to make mental health care more accessible to students.

Instead of relying only on traditional counseling, the program offers a less intimidating option centered on one-on-one conversations. Students seeking support are paired with other students who are trained and can share their own lived experiences. This can create a more relatable and supportive environment for counseling.

The program was developed after staff sought to expand their student mental health options and observed students increasingly turning to informal sources such as social media and AI tools. Each peer supporter completes certified recovery support specialist training before being assigned a caseload of three to four students.

Bill Iavarone, director of counseling for Augustana College, said the program also prepares students for a future career in mental health.

“There is training in the values and ethics of peer support, suicide awareness and how to respond to challenging situations,” Iavarone said. “Students can build on this experience in graduate programs or professional roles. Once credentialed, they can pursue careers in the field.”

Peer recovery supporters currently receive clients through referrals and maintain flexible schedules, allowing students to meet at their convenience.

Morin Windle '27, a triple major in psychology; women, gender and sexuality studies; and creative writing, is one of three peer supporters. She said she has seen meaningful growth among students.

“A lot of people I work with struggle with isolation and social anxiety,” Windle said. “Watching them begin to trust me, build a relationship and then connect with others has been really rewarding.”

Peer recovery supporter Gwen Lester '29 plans to major in education. She said she is developing professional skills that will support her future career.

“I feel like working through peer support is giving me strong foundational communication skills for heading into special education,” Lester said. “Working with unique styles of communication, establishing my own boundaries and managing my time all connect directly to the field of education.”

Lester also said she has seen a shift in how students approach mental health.

“There’s more awareness and more comfort in talking about challenges and allowing yourself to be a struggling college student,” Lester said.

Iavarone said his student peer supporters will take on a larger caseload in the fall as they become more comfortable in their roles. He also noted the college is exploring ways to expand services into the Quad Cities.

“There is a grant specifically for peer recovery support that opens in June 2027,” Iavarone said. “If the college pursues that grant, the training would extend beyond Augustana to peer supporters in the community, helping expand services across the region.”