TK’s Hope Squad, founded earlier this year, is made up of about 50 students from all grade levels in high school. Each of them was nominated by their peers for their kindness, approachability and trustworthiness. The groups’ goal is simply to help prevent mental health crises among their peers and make the high school an even more welcoming and safe place for all.
Hope Squad co-advisor Tricia Rickert said the group members have spent the first semester undergoing training on mental health and suicide awareness and the importance of notifying adults if there are concerns. They’ve also had discussions about how the group can help students build connections at school.
Rickert and Cary Saxton are the co-advisors for the TKHS group along with leadership from high school assistant principal Jeff Dock. Rickert said the group wanted to do something to help all students feel more connected as they start the second semester. “They came up with having a breakfast for the whole school,” she said.
Since there’s not enough space to feed all the students at once, the juniors and seniors will be fed breakfast first while the freshmen and sophomores will have time to play a variety of games or just meet with their friends in the gymnasiums. Then the groups will switch so that all students have breakfast and opportunities to connect again with others.
“It’s just a little time to reconnect,” said Rickert. “They are coming back to a new semester. They have different classes and maybe they don’t see some of their friends that much during the day.”
She said it’s also easy, especially in the winter months, to have feelings of isolation or seasonal depression and hopes this new group can help make all students feel connected.
The breakfast is just the first of schoolwide activities and events. “We have subgroups organizing events/activities/opportunities to interact and educate students over the next few months leading up to Mental Health Awareness month in May. This program is a sustainable program because it is student-led,” said Rickert.
Hope Squad is an evidence-based, peer-to-peer youth suicide prevention program dedicated to spreading hope and creating a school culture that promotes connectedness and inclusivity. Currently the program is serving more than 2,000 schools in the United States. It is dedicated to preventing suicide through public awareness and education, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and serving as a resource.
Hope Squad members do not take on the responsibilities of school counselors or other mental health professionals. Instead, members learn the skills needed to spot signs of suffering, intervene and refer peers to trusted adults.
“The Hope Squad is really excited to start making a difference. This event has been conceived and planned by our students, for our students and we’re proud of the work they’ve done,” said Rickert.