4 minute read
Empowering Students Through Peer Support
In Provo, Utah, a local community and school district dealt with tragedy for over a decade. The school district experienced one to two youth suicides annually, including the heartbreaking loss of a fourth-grade student on school grounds. In 1997, Dr. Gregory Hudnall, a high school principal in Provo, was involved in the identification of a student who died by suicide in a local park. He made a promise to himself that he would do everything he could to prevent the loss of any more students to suicide.
The following year, Dr. Hudnall moved into a leadership role with the school district and established a Hope Task Force, dedicated to ending student suicide. The task force prompted the development of the first Hope Squad at Timpview High School in Provo. Students involved in the Hope Squad were trained to identify suicide warning signs in peers and refer those peers to adults. After expanding the program to other schools in the district, Provo City School District had zero instances of suicide for nine years after the program’s implementation.
Hope Squads are now in thousands of schools across the United States and Canada. In the fall of 2021, the Westerville City School District (WCSD) successfully implemented Hope Squads in all three of its high schools through a Westerville Education Challenge initiative.
According to the WCSD website, the program empowers students to be the eyes and ears of their school. Student advisors receive training that equips them with the knowledge and awareness needed to recognize mental health concerns and suicide warning signs, as well as the procedures to properly report those concerns to an adult in a timely manner. Staff advisors are identified and trained in techniques that support the program. Current 8th-11th grade students will have an opportunity to learn about Hope Squads and then nominate their peers to be considered for a student leader role in the program.
Sumira, a junior at Westerville South High School (WSHS), has been involved in Hope Squad for three years and finds the program to be a valuable and accessible resource.
“I think it's essential for a community to have accessible support groups and resources, and Hope Squad has that accessibility,” said Sumira. “There's so many Squad members that students go to, which in turn can get them connected to counselors or other resources that may not feel as easily reachable.”
Crow is also a junior at WSHS and has been involved with Hope Squad for three years. Crow says that school can be stressful for many students and can feel like they are drowning under the pressure of academic, social and extracurricular commitments. For Crow, the Hope Squad is a crucial support system in the school community.
“With teen suicide rates being so high, Hope Squad helps combat that,” said Crow. “Joining helped my mental health more than I thought imaginable. I would not be the person I am today without it.”
Students in the Hope Squad strive to make a difference every day, during and after the school day. The Westerville Education Challenge, the nonprofit organization responsible for the formation of Hope Squads in Westerville hosts a yearly fundraiser, 5K and family fun run called Night of Hope, to raise money for social-emotional learning initiatives in the WSCD. In addition to their work with their peers and classmates, the Hope Squad from all three Westerville high schools provides the “person power” for the event, running pre-race games and cheering on participants along the race course.
“I love to help others and provide support for those that might not have much help,” said Marissa, a sophomore at WSHS and first year Hope Squad member. “Getting to be a safe person for others is such a rewarding feeling and knowing that you are trusted enough to be there in such a vulnerable time for them is so special.”
This year’s Night of Hope event will be held on Aug. 23 at Westerville North High School. For more information about the event or the Hope Squad, visit www.WestervilleEducationChallenge.org.
