Who are Natural Helpers?  Natural Helpers are warm, supportive, trustworthy people who care about others and talk with them about their thoughts, feelings and problems.

What is the purpose of the program?  The purpose of the Natural Helpers program is to improve the health and well being of Inglewood Junior High students.  Natural helpers are students already seen by the student body as helpful people.  The Natural Helper program provides them with training to increase their ability to help other students, especially with more serious issues they may encounter.

How did the program start?  NH began in 1979 in Mercer Island, WA.  When the community concern about it’s youth led to a nationwide search for an effective peer program to help with suicide prevention and the problems that students face every day like the use of drugs, conflict with families, and problems with relationships.  Several students had committed suicide and in investigation they found that other students had known, but didn’t know how to help.

Unique features of the program:

Taps into the natural network of people who are already good listeners and trusted helpers.

How students are chosen:

• Cross section of the student body and staff are selected through a school survey
• Equal number of students from each grade and gender
• A variety of student groups

Students and staff attend retreat training together. Students appreciate the opportunity to see teachers as fellow human beings.

• Everyone uses their first names
• Both students and staff get a chance to develop a trust that returns to school

Natural Helper Pledge