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Introducing Peer2Be:
Empowering Students Through Peer Support
How can peer support make a real difference in mental health? At the University of West Bohemia, we’re exploring this question in a new and innovative way.
Peer2Be is a collaborative project between the University of West Bohemia and a partner from Iceland (Traustur Kjarni) that focuses on the power of peer support in breaking down stigma and promoting mental well-being among young people. At its heart is a practical toolkit designed to highlight the benefits of peer-led support in both prevention and recovery within the educational system.
As part of the project, UWB students – trained in peer support both in the Czech Republic (in collaboration with the mental health NGO Ledovec) and during an intensive international workshop in Iceland – now visit high schools in Pilsen. There, they share their personal mental health journeys, create safe spaces for open conversation, and inspire younger students with the message that no one has to go through it alone.
The Peer2Be Toolkit offers insights for:
- Peers who want to support others or need support themselves
- Teachers looking for ways to foster an empathetic, supportive school environment
- Project managers and professionals seeking guidance for implementing peer-based mental health initiatives
The toolkit is currently available in Czech, but don’t let that stop you—online translation tools can help you explore its ideas in your own language.
Discover the Peer2Be Toolkit here:
https://bezbarier.zcu.cz/projekty/peer-2-be/
Let’s change the conversation around mental health — together, peer to peer.