The 2024/2025 Peer Counsellors Training came to a closure on 9th October, 2024 at Mandela Hall. The four-day training which began on 4th October was brought to a conclusion by Ms. Beatrice Yogo, Dean of Students. In her address to the peer counsellors, Ms. Yogo urged them to be good ambassadors of Laikipia University by being active listeners, neutral, disciplined and solution-oriented.
The training is fundamental as it instils peer counsellors with skills in guiding and counselling their fellow students. Some of the topics covered in the training included Communication Skills; Drugs and Drug Abuse Counselling; Ethical Issues in Counselling; Trauma/PTSD Counselling; Financial Management; Relationship Management; Time Management; Self-awareness; and Life Skills among others.
Peer counsellors are expected to help address mental health issues affecting some of their fellow students. These mental health issues majorly emanate from drug and substance abuse, cohabitation and unhealthy relationships, financial challenges, and dysfunctional family issues among others.
The Dean of Students also urged the peer counsellors to always refer cases which they feel are beyond them to their fellow counsellors or professional counsellors for best results.
Laikipia University through the Office of the Dean of Students is committed to making students’ welfare more accommodative and friendly. This should have a positive impact on the overall growth of students.
The peer counsellors’ trainers who were drawn from the Office of the Dean of Students were Ms. Evelyne Oketch, Mr. Alex Mukaisi, and Mr. Benedict Musyoka.