"Peervention" comes from a combination of two concepts: PEER facilitation and preVENTION education. Peervention strives to use peer mentoring in order to establish prevention education.

Peervention is a program designed to equip students with the ability to assist and support other peers in an effort to prevent any of the following: school disorientation, academic failure, depression, suicide, eating disorders, family distress, alcohol and drug abuse, and community unrest. Peervention members undergo a 10 week training program focusing on these issues. The training session enables Peervention members to better support to their peers. Teachers nominate prospective Peervention members in either their sophomore or junior years, and in the spring, the prospective members undergo training. Upon completion of their training, they join other trained members the following fall and are then considered official members of Peervention.

Peervention has two main goals: 1) Provide support for peers 2) Provide prevention education, and in doing so enrich the Wilton community

Peervention members are available to provide support to peers of any age, but particularly those in the high school and middle school. Peervention does this by becoming actively involved in the surrounding community. Peervention focuses on involvement in mentoring and tutoring programs. Members are required to participate in at least two community service activities that emphasize peer support. In the past few years, Peervention members have volunteered in activities such as Friend and Buddies (a socialization program for children with special needs), R.A.M.S. (a mentoring/tutoring program between Middlebrook students and those at the high school), and Kids on the Block (an educational puppet show that promotes the understanding of different types of disabilities). Peervention members also facilitate discussion groups in the community, high school, and middle school.

In accordance with our mission statement, Peervention members participate in community activites that focus on building one-on-one relationships and encouraging prevention education, and are active in the school community.

All Peervention members undergo a 10 week training program that concentrates on the issues Peervention strives to increase awareness about the aforementioned issues. Peervention members are trained by psychologists, social workers, and other guest speakers to provide the best possible aid to their peers.

Wilton High School faculty members recommend students for Peervention their sophomore or junior year. Students do not need to ask their teachers for a recommendation. If recommended, the student will then receive a letter asking them if they wish to interview and undergo training for Peervention. Teachers look for mature, responsible, caring, empathetic, and dedicated students who would be good at one-to-one interaction with their peers.

If you are interested in Peervention and are a sophomore or junior, you may communicate your interest to a teacher or guidance counselor who you believe knows you well enough to recommend you.
Recommended students who indicate interest in Peervention via the mailed form are then interviewed by the faculty advisors for Peervention. If the interview is successful, the student begins Peervention training in the spring. Training sessions are two hours in length, and will take place every other week. More information on the Peervention training schedule will be available in Spring.

Once the student succesfully completes the training course, they join Peervention and participate in regular group meetings and activities.