Peer support competency and mindfulness training and its effect on mental health: A pilot project

Objective This pilot project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the college student athletes’ peer support competency and mindfulness training in relation to their peer support skills and overall well-being. Methods Seventeen college athletes participated in four 90-minute training sessions. The training structure consisted of lectures, facilitators’ demonstrations of skills, participants’ practice of the skills with each other, and participants’ reflections of the activity. A mixed method design using online surveys, and a focus group was employed to examine the effect of the training. Results There was a significant increase in participants’ peer support competency and well-being scores after completing the training sessions. Five overarching themes included shared lived experiences and connectedness, the scaffolding of experiences, practicing and transferring skills, increased attunement and awareness of self and others, and integrating insight and practice mindfulness. Discussion The structure in scaffolding the learning experience should be considered as strategies to master peer support skills, strengthen student-athletes awareness and mindfulness of their emotions and thoughts and increase their ability to handle stressful situations. Peer support and mindfulness training should be implemented and evaluated purposefully and properly to ensure its effectiveness.