Purpose over pressure: peer-to-peer mentoring

Purpose Over Pressure is designed for students in grades 5–8 who are matched with trained high school peer mentors.

Through regular, structured mentoring sessions, students have opportunities to talk, participate in activities, build skills, and develop positive relationships with older students who understand many of the pressures they face.

Mentoring sessions focus on topics such as:

• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Making healthy decisions
• Handling peer pressure
• Communication and social skills
• Leadership
• Goal setting
• Developing healthy coping and problem-solving skills
• Understanding the risks associated with alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and other substance use
• Building positive connections with school and community
• Finding healthy ways to deal with everyday challenges

Purpose Over Pressure isn't about lecturing young people. It's about giving them a supportive space to connect, learn, grow, and feel heard.

1. Mentor Recruitment

High school students interested in becoming mentors complete an application and participate in the program's selection process.

2. Mentor Training

Selected mentors receive training before being matched with a mentee. Training covers topics including communication, leadership, mentoring best practices, positive youth development, healthy boundaries, substance-use prevention, and how to support younger students appropriately.

3. Mentor & Mentee Matching

Program staff carefully match mentors and mentees while considering factors such as interests, personality, school environment, and other information that may help create a positive mentoring relationship.

4. Regular Mentoring

Beginning in January, mentors and mentees participate in structured mentoring sessions approximately twice each month during the school year.

Sessions include conversations, activities, goal setting, skill building, prevention education, and opportunities to have fun and build connections.

5. Youth Leadership

Purpose Over Pressure goes beyond one-on-one mentoring. Students may also have opportunities to participate in youth-led prevention activities and projects that make a positive difference in their schools and communities.

Young people listen to other young people.

Positive peer relationships can be an important source of encouragement during adolescence. Purpose Over Pressure uses that influence in a positive way by connecting younger students with high school students who model healthy choices, leadership, responsibility, and resilience.

By creating supportive relationships early, we hope to strengthen protective factors that can help young people navigate challenges throughout adolescence.

Our program focuses on helping youth develop:

Confidence
Believing in themselves and their ability to make their own choices.

Connection
Building positive relationships with peers, schools, families, and communities.

Leadership
Learning that their voice and actions can positively influence others.

Decision-Making
Thinking through choices and understanding potential consequences.

Resilience
Developing skills to handle challenges, setbacks, and pressure.

Healthy Choices
Understanding the risks associated with youth substance use and feeling confident choosing not to use.

The safety and well-being of participating students are central to Purpose Over Pressure.

The program uses established policies and procedures to provide appropriate structure, supervision, and support for mentoring relationships.

Program safeguards include:

• Parent or guardian consent for mentees
• Mentor applications and screening
• Required mentor training
• Clear mentor and mentee expectations
• Appropriate adult supervision
• Defined boundaries for mentor/mentee communication
• Attendance and program documentation
• Ongoing support from program staff
• Procedures for reporting concerns
• Regular program evaluation

Mentors are never expected to act as counselors, therapists, parents, or other professionals. Their role is to be a positive peer role model and supportive connection, with trained adults available when additional support is needed.

We know that trusting someone else to support your child is a big decision.

Purpose Over Pressure is designed to complement, not replace, the important role of parents, caregivers, teachers, counselors, and other trusted adults in a young person's life.

Our goal is to add another layer of positive support.

We want mentees to have someone a little older who can say:

“I've been there. I understand. You don't have to follow the crowd. You can make the choice that's right for you.”

We encourage parents and guardians to contact us with questions about the program, mentor selection, supervision, activities, or their child's participation.

Purpose Over Pressure is designed primarily for students in grades 5–8 in participating schools and communities.

High school students in participating schools may apply to become Purpose Over Pressure mentors. Mentors must complete the program's application, selection, and training requirements.

No. Purpose Over Pressure is free for participating students and families.

Mentors and mentees generally participate in structured mentoring sessions approximately two-four per month during their lunch period over the school year.

Mentoring activities are coordinated with participating schools and program staff. Families and students receive specific information about their school's program schedule.

Sessions may include conversations, games, activities, goal setting, leadership development, prevention education, problem-solving exercises, and other activities designed to build a positive mentoring relationship.

Yes. A parent or legal guardian must provide consent before a minor can participate as a mentee and mentor.

Yes. High school mentors receive structured training covering mentoring skills, communication, leadership, boundaries, positive youth development, substance-use prevention, and other topics needed to help them serve as positive peer mentors.

No. Purpose Over Pressure is a prevention and mentoring program, not a counseling or mental health treatment program. Mentors are trained to be supportive peers and to involve program staff when a mentee needs help beyond the mentor's role.

Participation is voluntary. Families should contact Purpose Over Pressure program staff if they have questions or concerns about continued participation.