Student Mental Health Information Online

Peer Power – Student Gatekeeper Training Programme

Peers play an important role in identifying at-risk counterparts for early support and intervention. In this connection, the Education Bureau has launched the “Peer Power – Student Gatekeeper Training Programme” since the 2019/20 school year. Secondary school students (“peer leaders”) nominated by teachers will receive a series of school-based and joint-school training. Through interactive activities, they will learn methods to maintain mental well-being, common mental illnesses, and practical skills to care about peers in distress, etc. Specifically, seeking help from reliable adults is emphasised in the training. In order to boost the awareness and understanding in mental health amongst students and teachers, peer leaders will organise different kinds of school-based mental health promotional activities upon completion of gatekeeper training.

Programme Objectives

1. Enhance teachers’ and students’ knowledge on mental health problems;

2. Build a friendly and supportive school climate which encourages mutual support; and

3. Promote positive coping and help-seeking culture at the participating secondary schools

Roles of Peer Leaders

1. Enhance the knowledge about mental health and positive thinking patterns among teachers and students in the school

2. Encourage peers to seek help from adults when they encounter difficulties, andpromote a friendly and supportive school culture

3. Disseminate messages that promote mental health in schools and strengthen positive attitudes and behaviors in the face of problems

Programme features

The programme provides school-based and joint-school training activities. With diversified activities, such as teamwork, experiential learning, art work, role play, group discussion and problem-solving tasks, students gain a better understanding of personal mental health and learn to recognise and care about the emotional needs of peers. The programme also encourages students to seek help from adults who are trustworthy necessary.


Teamwork	Experiential learning

Art work	Group discussion

Problem-solving tasks

To raise the awareness of all teachers and students on mental health, peer leaders organise various promotional activities on mental health in schools after the training. Besides, to better prepare teachers and parents to taking up the role of "gatekeeper" for the mental health of their students/children, school-based briefing session, joint-school workshops for advisors of peer leaders, and parent talks are also arranged for the participating schools.

Application Period

May & June of every year

Programme review

Joint-school workshop for advisors of peer leaders