Peer influence. When you hear those words your thoughts immediately turn negative. Nearly everyone will associate peer influence with peer pressure and everything bad that comes with it. There is no denying that the influence peers have over each other is extremely powerful but who is to say that this influence is always negative?
Each of us understands how big an impact our peers have over us, especially during adolescence. I know myself that I respected what my friends said so much more than what my parents said. My mam could tell me 100 times that my outfit looked weird but just one odd look from my friends and I would have been straight up the stairs to change.
I think this is the case for most of us as we’re growing up. This means we can use the influence of peers in a positive way and not just in the negative context we’re always reminded of.
I am fortunate enough to have witnessed first-hand the positive effect those my own age and older had over me. I joined my local youth club, Celtic Youth Bray, when I was 13 and I didn't know what to think. I expected to be greeted by over-enthusiastic loons playing Scrabble in the parish hall every Friday night. What met me was something completely different.
Having fun
I walked into the hall on my first Friday night and found a room full of happy, normal people just having fun. The leaders there welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I really belonged. These leaders weren’t 30-year-old qualified youth workers. No, these leaders were normal 18 and 19 year olds, and that’s what made the difference.
As my years progressed in Celtic Youth Bray I felt more at home and my relationship with the leaders there grew stronger. I hung on every word they said and wished that some day I could be just like them. Eventually that time came and it was my turn to progress from member to junior youth leader.
I was so excited about the new opportunity. However, I also knew becoming a leader was no walk in the park. Knowing how much the leaders had influenced me in previous years, I knew I was taking on a role bursting with responsibility.
I knew that I had to take my role seriously while at the same time be myself and still inject fun and energy into every club night. Being part of Celtic Youth Bray has allowed me to witness on a day-to-day basis the powerful influence that peers can have over each other.
Every Friday and Saturday our parish hall is transformed into something special. There, everyone respects each other, has fun, goes crazy but, at the same time, is safe.
Understanding how much of a positive influence peers can have over each other, I jumped at the chance to become a peer educator this year for Headstrong. Being a peer educator involves going out to schools and youth groups and encouraging young people to talk about their mental health.
Impact
In my own experience, the talks that made the greatest impact on me were from people just a couple of years older than me. I think hearing information from your peers makes it far more real and you’re more inclined to listen. I have a real passion for mental health and I know how important the message in the peer-education programme is.
Peer education has been used in many different areas before, such as substance use and abuse and sexual health, but rarely before in the area of mental health. I realise this peer education programme for Headstrong is only a pilot scheme but I have no doubt it has been effective. The way in which the young people have engaged with the presentation shows that they have taken something from it.
I think it’s very clear by now that the words peer influence shouldn’t be seen in a negative light. I’m not dismissing the idea of negative peer pressure but we’ve all heard that story a million times. I just hope that more people will begin to realise the true value of positive peer influences. Especially young people, who can go on to share what they know with their peers.
Amy Robinson is a member of the Youth Advisory Panel to Headstrong, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Tony Bates is on leave.