Peer-designated crisis helpers are compared with non-peer-designated random helpers. Both helper groups were interviewed to discover what was done in crisis intervention. Peer-designated helpers intervene in more crises of a potentially serious nature and are more likely to take some direct action.

Administered a questionnaire to 360 undergraduates asking for names of persons they would contact in a personal crisis. 132 specific names were designated (6 ministers, 10 faculty members, and 116 students). 39 of the peer-designated students were interviewed and compared with a random non-peer-designated sample of 58 other undergraduates. The crisis content for both the peer- and non-peer-designated groups was similar (e.g., sexual, family, drug problems, and suicide attempts). Major differences were in how the helping was accomplished-18 of the crises involving intervention by the helpers were aided by some kind of direct action, whereas only 2 of the crises aided by random helpers involved direct actions. No background differences were found between the 2 helper groups. Implications for the counseling process are discussed. (16 ref)