High Schools in Southern Illinois have a different kind of lifesaver. It's not a candy; it's a person - typically a high school student - who's been uniquely trained as a peer-support person for other high school students.

"The LifeSavers Training Corporation trains selected high school students to be caring, compassionate, confidential listeners for their peers in specialized ways that can help troubled students figure out their own best solutions before teenage stresses and problems turn into a crisis."

The LifeSavers program was developed 20 years ago and currently has programs in twenty-four South Illinois high schools. LifeSaver students not only listen and support their peers, but they also initiate positive activities like drug prevention programs.

Read more at TheSouthern.com.

Labels: peers, schools, support