The Peer Health Advocate (PHA) is a student leader who is passionate about experiencing health and wellness personally, and seeing their peers experience health and wellness. This student leader isn’t afraid to talk about difficult topics such as Gender-Based Violence, Suicide and Mental Health on Campus. The PHA works under the canopy of the Student Life vision which aims to create a Christ-centred hospitable learning environment that promotes a flourishing community, faith formation and holistic well-being. Working directly with the Wellness Coordinator, the Peer Health Advocate promotes health and wellness among Ambrose students through health education activities and events, mental health awareness campaigns, role modelling and connecting with students for resources and referrals.
- Facilitate the development of a healthy spiritual, social, emotional and physical community as a student leader on campus.
- Serve as contacts for students seeking wellness support.
- Provide referrals to Ambrose counsellors and other wellness-related campus resources.
- Stimulate awareness of and decrease stigma around health issues by implementing health promotion programs.
- Work to reduce disparities in health and wellness outcomes.
- Help students to navigate Ambrose wellness services.
- Serve as a mobilizer for social connection with students experiencing loneliness, difficulty adjusting to student life, etc.
- Meet weekly with the Wellness Coordinator for updates, training, support, and continued development.
- Attend the fall training retreat, the winter retreat/training day and periodic training events throughout the year.
- Represent the Wellness department at various events and provide information about mental health and wellness initiatives on Campus.
- Participate in fall and winter orientation.
- Other duties as assigned by the Wellness Coordinator.
Duties and responsibilities performed within one's capabilities that do not constitute a major change may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of the supervisor either orally or in writing.
Reports to: Wellness Coordinator
- Commitment to uphold the Community Standards at Ambrose and the Christian Mission
- A recommended minimum GPA of 2.5
- Commitment to approximately 6 hours of weekly work
- Commitment to attending meeting and events facilitated by Peer Health Team
- Good verbal communication skills
- Experience with, or comfortable facilitating programs
- Passion for mental health and holistic wellness of students
- Some knowledge of mental illness and wellness, or a willingness to learn
- Ability to relate to students and staff
- Students in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th year are recommended
- To fulfill contract dates which run through the academic year
- Current undergraduate, education, or seminary student.
Traits & Attitudes:
- Leadership ability; initiator, friendly, inclusive, respectful and sensitive to the needs around them
- Collaborative; willing to actively participate in the Peer Health Team
- Maintain life/work/study balance
- Strong work ethic: reliable, punctual and willing to put best effort into work