PEER COUNSELING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF A MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION METHODOLOGY

Abstract

The mental health of university students is the subject of several studies due to the specific stressors imposed by university life. The demand for mental health support among university students is significant, and it is believed that alternative interventions can alleviate student distress and prevent the onset or worsening of mental illness. In this regard, Peer Counseling, a peer support methodology, is mentioned as a potential intervention tool. Given the lack of Brazilian experiences described in the literature regarding the implementation of this type of approach, the aim of this research is to map existing models of Peer Counseling in the literature and analyze their relevance to the socio-historical and cultural context in which it is proposed to be contextualized—the Brazilian higher education system. To achieve this, an integrative review was conducted using the Capes platform. The results showed a concentration of publications in the countries where the methodology originated, with widespread use in the healthcare system and a gradual expansion to universities. In the experiences described in higher education, all results were promising when correlated with variables that affect mental health. The strengths of the methodology include a foundation of trust based on horizontal relationships, which presupposes greater acceptability; the flexibility of the methodology to adapt to various contexts, and its developmental aspect through empowerment. In conclusion, peer counseling is an effective and promising methodology in the field of mental health, capable of successfully adapting to the Brazilian higher education system. It is hoped that further exploratory research will be conducted to lay the groundwork for its development in Brazil.