MoiraHarr

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month. Though it is important to highlight mental health awareness during specific months, mental health challenges and suicide are present all year round. Groups like Marian’s Hope Squad offer that yearlong support and awareness.

Hope Squad is a “peer-to-peer” suicide prevention program moderated by counselors Mrs. Amanda Losee, Mrs. Jen Christen and Mrs. Kathy DeWispelare. 

 This fall marks year two of the program. “Hope Squad came about because we had some upperclassmen who have now graduated that really wanted a program. They continued to ask and continued to want it, so we put Hope Squad in place,” Losee said. 

Though the moderators did not know how many people would be interested in the program, they were “impressed” with the number of people who wanted to participate. With over 100 members of Hope Squad last year, the decision was made to open involvement in the program to all four grade levels.

This year, the program decided to create a core team consisting of juniors and seniors, making the program more student-run.

Hope Squad is a life-saving service designed to help educate students on mental health, recognize the signs of when someone’s mental health may be in decline and how to take action in order to show the best support. 

“Hope Squad is super important because it is really all about students making connections with each other and making sure that everyone has someone and a place to be. It gives students a chance to recognize if anyone has changed their natural tendencies or if they’re withdrawing. [Hope Squad members] are really going to be our first resource to help identify students who are struggling,” Losee said. 

Though the word “suicide” tends to make people uneasy or “scare people off,” it is important to break the stigma around suicide and mental health. Though many avoid the topic, it is present everywhere. “[Suicide and mental health] are in all of our lives … Mental health is for everyone, not just for certain communities. It touches every single person,” Losee said.

Many people are interested and passionate about mental health, but not everyone can make the time commitment to Hope Squad. However, students are encouraged to participate in Hope Squad schoolwide events to show their support. 

Losee reminds everyone that “we have to care about each other all year round” and to “be kind to yourself. If you ever need support, talk to someone in Hope Squad. Talk to your counselor. “You’re not alone. Days are going to get better.”