Peers influence healthy lifestyles
Alisha Cowan
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News
College peers on most campuses influence menial things, like what to wear to parties or who to go out with on a Friday night. Students T.A.L.K., a group of certified peer educators apart of Western Illinois University's campus grounds, share more than trivial advice, and instead speak about prominent health issues students face.
Just like any organization, there is history behind it. Students T.A.L.K. has been in existence on the Western Illinois campus for about 15 years, although it went by a different name in the 90s. About seven or eight years ago, the group changed its name to what it is known as today because the peer educators wanted a fresher marketing focus and a catchy logo that encompassed the entire purpose of the program. The acronym T.A.L.K. stands for teaching, awareness, learning, and knowledge.
According to JoAnn Hairston-Jones, health education coordinator at Beu Health Center, providing knowledge to those willing to listen is one of the reasons the group is active.
"The underlying goal is to provide that peer-to-peer education. Other students are likely to receive the information in a positive way," said Hairston-Jones.
In some instances, younger incoming students may be wary of people of similar ages teaching them about what is good or bad for a healthy well-being. However, participants of Students T.A.L.K. have to complete certified peer education training, an eight-module program that teaches all the skills necessary to be able to speak about certain topics. In order to present health education programs, members have to complete this training.
Bonnie Coleman, junior community health major, is in her second semester as a peer educator, and said students are generally receptive to learning at presentations.
"I think it helps having the health education programs offered in the dorms and Greek houses. Students are more inclined to participate because it is being presented by student educators so they may feel more comfortable discussing certainissues."
Just like any organization, there is history behind it. Students T.A.L.K. has been in existence on the Western Illinois campus for about 15 years, although it went by a different name in the 90s. About seven or eight years ago, the group changed its name to what it is known as today because the peer educators wanted a fresher marketing focus and a catchy logo that encompassed the entire purpose of the program. The acronym T.A.L.K. stands for teaching, awareness, learning, and knowledge.
According to JoAnn Hairston-Jones, health education coordinator at Beu Health Center, providing knowledge to those willing to listen is one of the reasons the group is active.
"The underlying goal is to provide that peer-to-peer education. Other students are likely to receive the information in a positive way," said Hairston-Jones.
In some instances, younger incoming students may be wary of people of similar ages teaching them about what is good or bad for a healthy well-being. However, participants of Students T.A.L.K. have to complete certified peer education training, an eight-module program that teaches all the skills necessary to be able to speak about certain topics. In order to present health education programs, members have to complete this training.
Bonnie Coleman, junior community health major, is in her second semester as a peer educator, and said students are generally receptive to learning at presentations.
"I think it helps having the health education programs offered in the dorms and Greek houses. Students are more inclined to participate because it is being presented by student educators so they may feel more comfortable discussing certainissues."
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