Author: Aghunney

Mental Health Update

Peer Mediation

The Ins and Outs of
Peer Mediation

In This Issue
The Ins and Outs of Peer Mediation
Mediation Steps
Quote of the Month

Check This Out!!!
As part of a school-wide prevention initiative in an elementary/middle school, the University of Maryland School Mental Health Program has developed a peer mediation training curriculum. Though it was originally developed for student mediators in grades 5-8, it can be modified for use in all grades. See the materials at: http://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/Resources/Clin/ConPeerClin

Peer mediation offers an alternative to traditional disciplinary practices such as suspension and expulsion. Instead of waiting for a conflict to erupt into a bigger problem, the conflict is dealt with early on. Peer mediation is recognized as an effective way to teach students how to effectively solve problems and teach communication skills; skills which can be used in and out of school.
Supporting Evidence
Mediation has been shown to help create a positive school climate reduce school conflict and violence (Association for Conflict Resolution, 2007; Bickford, 2002). In an evaluation of a peer mediation program implemented in several schools in a district, significant reduction in the number of suspensions was found. Academic achievement tests also improved, suggesting that students’ ability to resolve their own problems left more opportunity for students to focus on learning (Bickford, 2002).
What Makes It Different?
Peer mediation is a unique form of conflict resolution in a number of ways:
Mediators do not solve problems. Instead, they help the parties involved in a conflict reach a resolution.
Mediation is a voluntary process.
Students take the lead, with an adult supervising at all times
Students must agree to keep mediation confidential.
Don’t Forget
Keep in mind that mediation is not the most effective conflict resolution strategy in all circumstances. For example, situations which might put the school community at risk (such as possession of a weapon) should be immediately referred to the appropriate school and local authorities.
Mediation for School Staff
Mediation can be a good way to resolve conflicts between school staff and their peers and also between school staff and students. It can serve as a way to establish a trusting school community.

References
Sterling, A (2001). He started it! Teacherfirst’s guide to peer mediation. Retrieved January 14, 2008 from http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/mediate/mediate2.cfm
Bickmore, K. (2002). Peer mediation training and program implementation in elementary schools: research results. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 20(2), 137-160.
The Association for Conflict Resolution (2007). Recommended Standards for School-Based Peer Mediation Programs.

Mediation Steps

Even without a formal program in place, school staff can utilize the principles of peer mediation to resolve minor conflicts in and out of the classroom. In this whole class model, all students are trained in mediation. Mediations can take place in a designated area of the classroom and students can help one another resolve conflicts. Highlighted below are the steps of an effective mediation. Be sure to go over these steps and role play conflict scenarios with students before performing an actual mediation.
Step 1: Introduction
This is the time to introduce yourself and make sure the people involved understand what you will be doing during the mediation.
Step 2: Listening
The mediator’s role during this step is to give everyone a chance to tell what happened. If the people involved seem to be getting out of control, try referring them back to the requests they agreed on. If you feel you cannot handle something at any point let the adult in the room take over. Make sure to give each side an equal amount of time and attention to share their story. And remember, mediators should practice active listening.
Step 3: Problem Solving
During this step, the mediator helps the people involved in the conflict to identify what the problem really is and start thinking of solutions.
Problem solving involves the following steps:
Identify and name the problem.
Understand the problem
Brainstorm solutions.
Try out a solution.
Analyze how it worked out.
Step 4: Choosing a Solution
After the problem solving, the people involved in the conflict must agree on one solution. By this point in the mediation, they should have figured out the best way for both sides to win.
Step 5: Conclusion
Once an agreement has been made, congratulate the participants on being able to work out their problems peacefully. Allow them to decide how they want to hold each other responsible for following through with the proposed solution (e.g. creating a written contract).

Quote of the Month
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.
- Dorothy Thompson

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Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

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The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
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Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

University of Maryland, Baltimore
Department of Psychiatry
737 West Lombard St. 4th Fl
Baltimore, MD 21201

Center for School Mental Health

Phone: 410-706-0980 Fax: 410-706-0984 E-mail: csmh@psych.umaryland.edu

University of Maryland, Baltimore
Department of Psychiatry
737 West Lombard St. 4th Fl
Baltimore, MD 21201