Peer Education Program

What is the Peer Education Program (PEP) at CAPS?

The Peer Education Program (PEP) is a student-led mental health outreach initiative at UCSC. Housed within Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), PEP is designed to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and connect students with support and resources through peer-to-peer education.

Peer Educators are trained undergraduate student volunteers who serve as mental health ambassadors on campus. They provide supportive one-on-one coaching conversations, lead workshops on topics like stress management and suicide prevention, contribute to mental health awareness campaigns, and represent CAPS at outreach events. Through this work, Peer Educators help foster a healthier, more connected campus community.

Interesting in becoming a CAPS Peer Educator? Learn how to express interest in joining the team below!

PEP workshops & tabling

Want to request a workshop or invite the PEP Team to your tabling event? Please fill out the Workshop/Tabling Request Form. Below are some of the workshops PEP offers:

Peer-led talk: CAPS services

This presentation informs students about the ins and outs of CAPS services, including:

Common stressors that lead students to seek support
Descriptions of major CAPS services, including available drop-in services
How to make an appointment
What to expect at your first meeting
Where to go for additional information
Time for Q&A

Duration: 30–45 minutes

Stress Less Workshop

Learn about common student stress experiences, how to recognize the signs, and what to consider when developing strategies to manage stress.

Duration: 30–45 minutes

QPR Suicide prevention: gatekeeper training

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) is an interactive suicide prevention training designed to help community members:

Recognize warning signs of suicide
Engage in supportive conversation
Provide resources to those in need

Duration: 2 hours

Group Size Limit: 20 participants

Tabling events

CAPS PEP tabling events offer information, resources, answers to student questions about CAPS services, and supportive peer coaching conversations.

Have another workshop or event in mind?

We’re open to your ideas! We’ll likely schedule a brief meeting with your representative to learn more about the topic or event. Simply select “OTHER” under Program Request and provide a short description.

Note: Workshops and tabling are subject to undergraduate volunteer availability. We will do our best to accommodate requests.

CAPS PEP operates only during the academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring). For requests outside this timeframe, contact CAPS at (831) 459-2628.

What do Peer Educators do?

Peer Educators attend a 4-day orientation before Fall quarter and weekly team meetings throughout the academic year. Their 3-hour weekly volunteer commitment includes:

Supporting CAPS staff with special projects
Facilitating interactive, educational workshops on stress management and mental health
Providing one-on-one supportive coaching through campus outreach
Creating social media content for mental health awareness (e.g., PEP Podcast, Blog, Instagram)
Representing CAPS at events, workshops, and student organization meetings
Assisting with CAPS outreach and special events
Promoting CAPS services and programs

Interested in joining the team?

We’ll post on social media, Handshake, and the CAPS website—when positions open and applications go live. We are currently done hiring for the quarter.

Peer Educator requirements

Registered UCSC undergraduate in good academic standing
Public speaking and workshop facilitation skills
Passion for supporting others and promoting mental health, inclusivity, and social justice
Flexible, positive attitude and strong time management
Professional communication skills
Strong desire to represent CAPS’ mission on campus
Availability to volunteer 3–8 flexible hours/week (depending on position) for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters
Commitment to weekly team meetings: Fridays, 9:30–11 a.m.
Attendance at mandatory 4-day orientation before Fall classes (date TBD)

Preferred qualifications

Minimum 3.0 GPA
Sophomore standing or higher during the 2025–2026 academic year
Experience with public speaking, teaching, coaching, or facilitation
Creative skills (graphic design, art, etc.)
Blog or social media experience for program promotion

Other team position available: Assistant Program Coordinator

This role includes all Peer Educator duties, along with additional responsibilities:

Assist with program operations and development
Serve as the primary contact for the Peer Educator Team
Participate in weekly one-on-one mentorship with the PEP Program Coordinator

Time Commitment: 8 hours/week

Preferred Qualifications:

Minimum 3.0 GPA
Junior standing or higher in the 2025–2026 academic year
Leadership and facilitation experience

Benefits of joining PEP

Yearly stipends
Flexible hours
Professional development & training, including:
- QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
- Peer Coaching
- Outreach & Crisis Management