Common Questions from Community

Could the Hope Squad Program be held liable or be sued by a parent if they are unhappy with a referral or a particular situation involving a Hope Squad?

Check your state’s legislation. In Utah, there is legislation titled Immunity for Providing Assistance in a Suicide Emergency. It states: “A person who provides emergency care at or near the scene of, or during, a suicide emergency, gratuitously and in good faith, is not liable for any civil damages or penalties as a result of any act or omission by the person providing the emergency care, unless the person is grossly negligent or caused the suicide emergency.”

How do you educate the community, so they are clear about what Hope Squads are and what they are not? 

When providing a training for schools or community groups always include information about Hope Squads and what the Squad(s) are doing at the local schools. In the trainings, show the whiteboard video and explain what Squads are. Have the squads participate in local community events: set up a table and give out lifesavers with positive sayings; participate in community events and wear Squad shirts; share the monthly mental health newsletter and mention what Hope Squads are doing; be active on social media.  

Encourage community members to visit hopesquad.com, the official Hope Squad website. We highly recommend that schools include a link to the Hope Squad website on their school or district websites. Within the Advisor Portal, under the "Getting Started" tab, you'll find sample community letters to share with the school community.

Why does Hope Squad require a mental health partnership?

One of the benefits of having a Hope Squad is that the program offers a holistic approach to suicide prevention. Having a successful Hope Squad means getting the community, administration, mental health partners, parents, and faculty/staff involved. This will increase awareness about community resources and encourage struggling students to seek help.

How can I find my local mental health agency?

Some school districts may already have a partnership with a mental health agency or are aware of the services provided. We recommend checking with your school district to see what is already in place. If the district does not have a partnership, contact the local agency and set up a meeting to talk about the Hope Squad program and a partnership. Most agencies will be grateful for the opportunity to work with a Hope Squad school.

What could the mental health agency offer to the school?

The mental health agency can assist with crisis response, developing a mental health referral plan, and could provide QPR training. Some agencies have even supplied funding for the Hope Squad program or will send therapists to the schools 

Do Hope Squads offer tier 1 Prevention?

Tier 1 - Primary prevention: Intentional observation and engagement; being seen and knowing what to say is half the battle….

Elementary & secondary programs teach Squad Members acute observation and peer-to-peer engagement skills. With an emphasis on intentionality, Squad Members interact with the entire school community providing a bridge of support and encouragement. Activities such as Hope Week, Hope Squad days, and campus weekly announcements weave the message into a campus culture that support is accessible and normalized for all. Monthly activities provide consistent messaging arround mental wellness and reducing stigma around seeking help.

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Tier 2 - Secondary prevention: supporting those at higher risk of experiencing mental health problems....

Squad Members gain confidence through extensive training to purposefully engage students who appear to be struggling and direct them to the help needed. Hope Squad as a platform, holistically teaches students, in the Squad and school-wide, about the mental health resources available and addresses the stigma surrounding seeking help. Hope Squad Members are taught to stand in the gap for students whom they have a concern and to contact a trusted adult for professional support.

Tier 3 - Tertiary prevention: helping people living with mental health problems to stay well.
Hope Squads have a partnership with the local mental health agency and/or other community agencies. This partnership assists in timely support and eases the stigma surrounding treatment both long and short term, for mental health concerns. A collateral benefit is realized with school staff, as they too, hear the message of support and how to access resources.

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