The KUTO Peer Helper Team works with existing or new peer helping groups, peer mediators, conflict resolution teams at area high schools. Team members co-facilitate a 14 hour program of communication, problem solving and crisis intervention skills. Participants learn effective active listening, empathy building, clarifying questioning, assertiveness, and confrontation skills.

Team members work together with students and administrators to build a strong Peer Helper presence on campus. Schools and youth groups utilizing KUTO trainers determine their own training schedules.

Trainings are usually held over summer vacation, weekends and during the school day. Peer Helper Team volunteers need to be comfortable speaking to large groups and facilitating small group discussion. Volunteers are expected to complete the training and participate in scheduled trainings. The team is busiest in the summer months and throughout the fall semester.

Community Outreach

Many St. Louis schools, churches, volunteer agencies and civic groups invite KUTO to speak to students or members. This is an important component of our mission. Youth volunteers co-facilitate an informational and educational presentation appropriate for the specific group. This presentation includes general information about the agency, statistics specific to adolescent suicide, prevention and intervention strategies and dispelling commonly held myths about suicide. Health fairs, community activities and special events are included in our Outreach program.