Peer Support
As the name suggests, peer support is the foundation upon which our nonprofit is based. Peer Initiative consults with schools to bring our innovative teen suicide prevention program into high schools statewide. The backbone of the suicide prevention program is the peer support team. The PST is a select group of high school leaders who receive training from the McNeese State Psychology Department and the Kay Dore Counseling Clinic. Peer leaders are taught empathy, listening skills, non-judgmental support, suicide awareness, and basic peer session techniques. While these sessions occur in-person at our Sam Houston High School location, the sessions are available statewide via Zoom. Each school which implements the Peer Initiative teen suicide prevention program has a partnership with a licensed mental health professional.
Helpful Resources
Crisis Text Line
We can all help prevent suicide. The 9-8-8 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
United Way of SWLA 211 Helpline
Every day people in our community are facing issues that, if left unsolved, can lead to a downward spiral. 211 is our way of connecting people in need to resources as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
Kay Dore Counseling Clinic
The Kay Dore Counseling Clinic is a low-cost counseling clinic that serves the SWLA community. All counseling services are provided for a flat rate of $20 per session. The clinic offers individual one-on-one counseling, couples counseling, family counseling, and group counseling.
Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority
IMCAL was created by the Louisiana Legislature to provide behavioral health and developmental disability services to the citizens of SWLA.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
The mission of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is to promote the wellness and wellbeing of Louisianians by supporting health or education-related causes.
Louisiana Mental Health Association
The mission of the Louisiana Mental Health Association is to provide services for persons with or at risk for mental health and substance abuse issues.
