Peer counseling helps motivate church members to eat more fruits and vegetables. Interested church members sign up to talk with a trained volunteer. They can talk over the telephone or in person.
Church members talk with their peer counselors about how eating healthier relates to their life goals and personal values. Peer counselors tailor the talk to the person’s readiness to change. Together, the church member and peer counselor come up with an action plan for eating more fruits and vegetables. This approach empowers people to take more control over their health.
Each church chooses and trains members to be peer counselors. The counselors learn skills for talking about health habits. A program to train peer counselors is available on an interactive DVD. Please see the Resources section for information about how to order the DVD.
The peer counseling pillar of Body & Soul is based on principles of motivational interviewing. This kind of interviewing is a proven method for changing health behavior. These skills can also be used in many outreach activities at the church. Peer counseling helps “bring home” the Body & Soul program. It helps church members see how eating healthier can fit into their lives. It offers one-on-one attention and support to those who need it. This personal touch is the final pillar of an effective Body & Soul program.
Church members talk with their peer counselors about how eating healthier relates to their life goals and personal values. Peer counselors tailor the talk to the person’s readiness to change. Together, the church member and peer counselor come up with an action plan for eating more fruits and vegetables. This approach empowers people to take more control over their health.
Each church chooses and trains members to be peer counselors. The counselors learn skills for talking about health habits. A program to train peer counselors is available on an interactive DVD. Please see the Resources section for information about how to order the DVD.
The peer counseling pillar of Body & Soul is based on principles of motivational interviewing. This kind of interviewing is a proven method for changing health behavior. These skills can also be used in many outreach activities at the church. Peer counseling helps “bring home” the Body & Soul program. It helps church members see how eating healthier can fit into their lives. It offers one-on-one attention and support to those who need it. This personal touch is the final pillar of an effective Body & Soul program.
“You must start at the center of the community, which is the church in African American communities.”
— The Rev. Dr. Melvin B. Tuggle III, author of “It Is Well With My Soul—Churches and Institutions Collaborating for Public Health” (Beautiful) Garden of Prayer Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD
