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.
Hope Squad Members will also learn leadership skills as they serve those in their school, run activities, and make decisions as a Squad for how they can support and improve school culture.
Related Articles
Can Hope Squad Members take a break from Hope Squad?
There are times when your Squad Members will need to take a break from Hope Squad for life and family circumstances, mental health needs, or other events. In these events, the decision to allow a Squad Member to leave and return is up to you as the ...
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 provide at-home discussion questions that correlate with the lessons they are learning in the meetings. The parent ...
Are Hope Squad Members trained to act as counselors?
Hope Squad members are not trained to act as counselors. Hope squad reinforces training that students are never to act as a counselor to someone who is exhibiting suicide warning signs. Hope Squad Members support struggling peers while knowing that ...
What is Hope Squad?
Hope Squad is a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that empowers, trains, and mentors students, who were nominated by their peers, to recognize suicide warning signs and report them to trusted adults. Supported by the community and ...
Do existing Hope Squad Members continue the program for all 3 or 4 years or should Advisors start fresh every year?
Advisors have the option to advance current Squad Members. It is recommended to meet with current Squad Members to discuss their interest in continuing with the Squad and their availability to remain an active Squad Member. Alternatively, Advisors do ...