Peer coaching, peer mentoring and MHFA peer coaching for mental health
The Hochschule München offers its students three valuable support services: peer coaching, peer mentoring and MHFA peer coaching for mental health. These services are designed to support students in their personal, academic and health-related development.
Peer coaching
Peer coaching is a support service run by students for students, offered by Department 11 to all students at Hochschule München.
In this programme, specially trained peer coaches support their fellow students with challenges, unanswered questions and difficulties relating to their studies.
Peer coaching offers students a confidential and safe space to discuss their personal concerns. Whether they are seeking self-clarification, motivation or help with decision-making, our trained peer coaches are on hand to listen and work with them to find new solutions. Should the issue go beyond the peer coaches’ remit, students will be referred to the appropriate service.
- Confidential and free of charge: The service is completely free of charge and all conversations are treated in strict confidence.
- Trained coaches: Our peer coaches are specially trained for this role and receive professional supervision.
- Flexible communication: Coaching sessions can take place via email, Zoom or in person. The format and duration of the sessions are agreed on an individual basis.
For lecturers and staff members: Help us raise awareness of peer coaching among students! Let your students know about this service and help us increase the reach and benefits of peer coaching.
Contact the Innovation Group
For students at Department 11: Are you interested in becoming a peer coach yourself? Then let us train you! As a peer coach, you can help other students overcome their challenges, whilst gaining valuable experience for your own studies and personal development. Prerequisite: You must be studying at Department 11!
Peer mentoring
We train students from all departments who are in their second semester or later to become peer mentors, so that they can support first-year students in their degree programmes and departments as they begin their studies.
This peer support scheme helps new students settle into their new environment more quickly and effectively, whilst the mentors gain valuable social skills.
As part of a peer mentoring scheme, students in higher years pass on their knowledge and experience to first-year students (mentees). The mentors themselves benefit from developing their social skills, which are also relevant in their future careers.
Lecturers and students can bring it to their departments. The seminar “Communication & Counselling Skills – Training for Peer-to-Peer Mentoring” at the Department of General Studies prepares students for their role as mentors and can be taken as an AW module .
The main topics of the seminar are:
• The role of mentors: understanding and shaping one’s own role as a mentor.
• Communication models and techniques: learning and applying various communication methods.
• Facilitating group processes: abilities in leading and facilitating group sessions.
• Conflict management: strategies for resolving conflicts and tensions.
• Communication and advisory skills: developing the abilities to advise and support mentees.
For lecturers and staff members: Please inform students who are already working as mentors or tutors, or who are interested in doing so, about the AW course ‘Communication and Counselling Skills – Training for Peer-to-Peer Mentoring’. We can also assist, on request, with setting up and organising an induction programme and a peer mentoring scheme within your department.
Contact the Innovation Group
For students:
Are you interested in becoming a (peer) mentor? If so, why not take part in our seminar, ‘Communication and Counselling Skills – Training for Peer-to-Peer Mentoring’, which takes place once a term? As a mentor, you can support first-year students whilst strengthening your own social and communication abilities.
To register, please contact the Innovation Group .
MHFA Peer Coaching for Mental Health
MHFA Peer Coaching is a support service run by students for students, provided by students who have trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
The MHFA Peer Coaches provide support to students who are experiencing a mental health crisis or have been struggling with mental health issues for some time, offering guidance and referring them to appropriate support services within a safe and confidential setting.
In the MHFA Peer Coaching scheme, students who have been trained as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) First Aiders act as the first point of contact and a trusted support for students experiencing mental health issues.
Students can discuss their mental health in a confidential and safe environment. Our MHFA peer coaches are there to listen, offer support, provide information and, if necessary, refer students to appropriate support services.
- Confidential and free of charge: The service is completely free of charge and all conversations are treated in strict confidence.
- Trained coaches: Our MHFA peer coaches are specially trained for this role and receive professional supervision.
- Flexible communication: Coaching sessions can take place via email, Zoom or in person. The format and duration of the sessions are agreed on an individual basis.
For lecturers and staff members: Help us raise awareness of MHFA peer coaching among students! Let your students know about this service and help us increase the reach and impact of MHFA peer coaching.
Contact the Innovation Group
For students: Are you interested in becoming an MHFA Peer Coach yourself? Then let us train you! As an MHFA Peer Coach, you can help other students overcome their challenges, whilst gaining valuable experience for your own studies and personal development.
Three questions for "People with an Agenda"
“Through peer-to-peer support, we help students develop their academic skills and personal growth.”
Prof. Dr Angelika Iser & Prof. Dr Simone Kaminski
We are here to help
We look forward to your participation and to working together to further develop peer coaching and peer mentoring at Hochschule München and raise awareness of these initiatives. If you are interested or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Contact the Innovation Group
