A peer counseling initiative in Cheorwon-gun is drawing attention after assessments indicated the program fosters mental growth in children and helps reduce school violence.
The Cheorwon-gun Youth Counseling and Welfare Center recently held a joint camp titled "I'm a Peer Counselor!" for elementary school peer counselors at the county's military experience training center.
The camp brought together 45 peer counselors selected from Dongsong Elementary School, Cheorwon Elementary School, Jangheung Elementary School, Wasu Elementary School and Cheongyang Elementary School, along with professional instructors from a play culture research institute.
About a week after the camp concluded, Cheorwon-gun said the program "contributes significantly to preventing youth violence by having trained young people support and assist peers who are struggling, helping them work through their problems."
The program was built on the belief that young people develop greater maturity when they work through difficulties on their own, and officials said it proved as effective as originally hoped.
School officials who attended the camp said the event "again confirmed the important role peer counselors play," adding that schools should encourage broader participation given how central the initiative has become to youth violence prevention efforts.
The Cheorwon-gun Youth Counseling and Welfare Center is operated directly by the county and runs a range of youth education programs beyond the Sollien peer counseling project, including outreach group counseling, emergency intervention, and initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing internet and smartphone addiction.
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