2023 Annual Report: Three resilience-building programs serve students
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The Peer2Peer Mentoring Program connects trained student mentors with students who could use extra support as they navigate college life.
In Spring 2023, the Peer2Peer Mentoring Program was available at South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, Augustana University, Black Hills State University, Western Dakota Technical College, and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
By Spring 2023, we had trained 50 peer mentors and matched them with 61 mentees. We expanded the P2P Mentoring program to Southwest Minnesota State University in Fall 2023. Across all universities, by the end of the Fall 2023 semester, we had trained 48 peer mentors and matched them with 72 mentees.
Additional campuses have expressed interest in implementing the Peer2Peer Mentoring program. We plan to expand to Northern State University, Lake Area Technical College, Mount Marty, and the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (just to name a few) in 2024.
PEER2PEER MENTORS SHARE WHY THIS PROGRAM MATTERS
In an interview with Student Programs Manager Carrie Jorgensen, two mentors in the Peer2Peer Mentorship program at South Dakota State University addressed why this program is needed on college campuses:
Jenny Sengchanh (pictured at right in right photo, with her mentee, Kaylah R.): “This program is needed on college campuses because college can be stressful and is a moment in life where you are dealing with a lot of change.”
Jae Hanks (pictured at left): “I know as a freshman I was very overwhelmed with moving away from home, adjusting to college classes, and trying to make friends. This program helps ease that transition, introduces freshmen to more people, and gives them an opportunity to have a friend that can help with study tips, mental health tips, and anything else they may need. I would’ve loved to have this program when I was a freshman, and I think it is an extremely beneficial option for any student to use!”
Campus Lost&Found Chapters are student-led groups that focus on developing a sense of community at their campuses.
All students are welcome to join their campus-based Lost&Found chapter to learn about mental well-being, connect with other students, and be accepted for who they are.
Students also learn about resources available in their communities and on their campuses.
The following schools had a Lost&Found Chapter in 2023: Augustana University, Black Hills State University, Dakota Wesleyan University, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, University of South Dakota-Sioux Falls, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Several campus chapters focused on planning and implementing 5K fundraisers in Spring 2023. The South Dakota State University chapter hosted their 3rd Annual Zumbathon.
Campus chapters focused on student engagement during the Fall 2023 academic semester. Each chapter hosted monthly activities focused on education, creativity, self-care, and connecting with fellow students.
The L&F Advocates program trains students to better understand and care for their own mental health, equips students with tools for resilience and advocacy, and reduces the stigma of mental health in their campus communities.
This program is available to all students at any school partnered with Lost&Found. Students who sign up for this program are assigned a cohort and expected to attend four learning sessions led by a Lost&Found staff member. Fourteen students actively participated in the Lost&Found Advocates program in Spring 2023. Six students completed all four sessions. In Fall 2023, seven students participated in this program with six attending all learning sessions.
Looking forward to 2024: The Lost&Found Advocates program will be revamped in 2024, removing the cohort component. Our goal is to make this program more accessible to student participants, allowing them to learn at their own pace.
—Carrie Jorgensen, Student Programs Manager
Through House Bill 1079, the South Dakota State Legislature and Department of Health have demonstrated support for Peer2Peer Mentoring and Campus Chapters. These two programs focus on teaching students how to support one another in healthy, developmentally appropriate ways. Students are able to use the skills learned through Lost&Found programming as they enter the workforce and become more active members of their communities.
Read more in the 2023 annual report.
