Peer Mentorship Program

Peer Mentorship pairs neurodivergent students with more experienced peers who provide guidance, support, and advice on navigating university life. This program fosters a sense of community, encourages academic success, and promotes personal growth.

Join the Mentorship Program!

Applications for participation open each semester. This program operates during both the fall and spring seasons, so be sure to check back for updates on how to apply. We look forward to meeting you!

Our goal is to pair neurodivergent students with fellow peers who provide guidance, support, and advice on navigating university life. This program fosters a sense of community, encourages academic success, and promotes personal growth. Aiming to create a supportive network for neurodivergent students, enhancing their university experience and promoting their success.

What to Expect:

Mentors: meet with mentee at least once a month, participate in weekly mentor check-ins for professional development and community support, attend monthly mentor-mentee socials
Mentees: meet with mentor at least once a month, attend monthly mentor-mentee socials

Who is this program for?

Mentees: This program is for any neurodivergent or questioning student who would like individualized peer-support guidance throughout the semester.

Mentors: This program is for any neurodivergent or questioning student who would like to support a fellow peer (for at least one semester) in navigating university and/or personal life as a neurodivergent person. This is a low-risk environment for development of active listening and leadership skills.

What you will get out of this program:

Mentors:

Individual support from peer mentor
Improved peer advocacy skills
Create new connections with fellow neurodivergent students

Mentees:

Group support among fellow mentors
Improved peer advocacy skills
Create new connections with fellow neurodivergent students
Improved mentorship skills
Letters of Recommendation

Training & Approach

Our student staff complete training in peer counseling skills, active listening, helpful tools, disability-informed practice, and campus resource navigation each semester. Sessions are collaborative and strengths-based, grounded in neurodiversity-affirming values.

Important Notes & Boundaries

We are not medical or mental health professionals.
We do not diagnose, prescribe, or provide psychotherapy.

Privacy & Safety

We keep conversations private within program guidelines. If there is a concern about immediate safety (yours or someone else’s), we may need to involve appropriate supports to keep people safe.

If you are in crisis or need urgent help:

Access UHS Mental Health Services at www.uhs.wisc.edu/mental-health/

The UHS Mental Health Crisis Support Line is staffed 24/7 by licensed professionals. Call 608-265-5600 (option 9)

If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center.