What do Squad Members learn?
Hope Squad Members are trained to recognize warning signs of suicide in their peers, reach out, and refer their peers to trusted adults. They are not taught to act as counselors, but rather how to support their peers by encouraging them to get help. Training for elementary schools includes topics such as identifying warning signs, kindness, anti-bullying, and managing stress. Training for junior high and high schools incorporates training on grief, mental illness, and being resilient, as well as an opportunity to teach their families, school, and community.
What if one or more parents/guardians can’t attend the Parent Meeting?
If one or more parents could not attend the meeting, there are many ways you can handle this problem:
What are the parent manuals?
Parent manuals are for parents of Hope Squad Members. The manuals explain what their children will be learning in the Hope Squad and provides at-home discussion questions that correlate with the lessons they are learning in the meetings. The parent manuals also provide resources for parents, like national hotlines, tips for helping their child with mental health issues, and tips for responding to a crisis.
Where can I find the parent manuals?
The parent manuals are in the Advisor Portal under the Hope Squad curriculum section. The parent manuals are specific to the school level (elementary, middle, and high school) and the curriculum year. For example, to access the High School Year 2 parent manual, the Advisor would log in to the Advisor Portal, scroll down to Hope Squad curriculum, click “High School,” enter the password, scroll down to Year 2, and click “Parent Manual.” The manuals are available in Spanish and English.
Is being a Hope Squad Member too much pressure?
Our curriculum stresses the importance of prioritizing the Hope Squad Members’ mental health, engaging in self-care, and creating boundaries. Advisors are expected to regularly check in with the Hope Squad Members, give them support if needed, and teach them where to turn for help. Parents are also expected to monitor their child’s mental health and contact the Advisor if they are worried. Hope Squad data has shown that 96% of Advisors and 99% of Parents agree that being on the Hope Squad is not too much pressure for their student/child.
My child had mental health issues in the past. Can they still be a member of the Hope Squad?
We recommend that the parent and the Advisor of the student in question sit down and discuss if they think the program is right for the student. We have seen students use their experience to better relate to others and become great role models. Get approval from the parent confirming that the student is receiving the support they need from a therapist or trusted source. You may also want a signed permission form from the therapist.
Are Hope Squad Members trained to act as counselors?
Hope Squad training enforces students to never act as a counselor to someone who is exhibiting suicide warning signs. They support struggling peers while knowing that they are only one part of the peer’s support system. If a peer begins having suicidal thoughts, students are trained to widen that support system by referring the peer to an adult.
The Hope Squad Parent assists the Advisor and is often a liaison between the Advisor and the parents of Hope Squad Members. They are parents of Hope Squad Members who volunteer to support the squad in a greater capacity. They help the Hope Squad in a variety of ways: