Heritage Hope Squad

What is Hope Squad?

The Hope Squad program is a school-based peer support team that partners with local mental health agencies. Peers select students who are trustworthy and caring individuals to join the Hope Squad. Squad members are trained to watch for at-risk students, provide friendship, identify suicide warning signs, and seek help from adults.

Hope Squad members are NOT taught to act as counselors but are educated on recognizing suicide warning signs and how to properly and respectfully report concerns to an adult. They receive training to help reduce self-destructive behavior and youth suicide, reduce stigma about suicide, raise awareness, and create a change in the atmosphere within the school.

Hope Squad members are students selected by their peers for being:
• Concerned about others
• Easy to talk with
• A good listener
• Someone you could turn to if you needed a friend

• Someone who does not bully others

Links for More Information

The Mission and History of Hope Squad

Frequently Asked Questions

Hope Squad Members

Kaecyn B.	Urijah G.
Allie F.	Lela Y.
Allison R.	Maggie P.
Ellie M.	Bo M.
Ben T.	Claire B.
Mikah G.	Brooklyn M.
Adeline B.	Alyse R.
Emery I.	Avery B.
Wes D.	Jake M.
Shelbi M.	Miles C.
Preston M.	Isaiah G.

Practicing Optimism

Our Hope Squad members appeared on the news and encouraged HMS students to practice optimism by challenging the way they think. Here are some tips and resources for being optimistic!

Look at it Differently (Positive Reframing)
1. Find a positive way to see everything! If you don't do well use it as an opportunity to begin again with new knowledge.
Focus on action!
1. Give your attention to something that will lead to action that will work through the problem instead of focusing on the problem.
2. Example: Your friend lets you know at the last minute that they can't come over to your house. Instead of focusing on the loss of that time with your friend, use it as an opportunity to spend time with family or something that you enjoy.
See it for What it Is
1. We've all done it. We don't do well on a test or a friend decides to sit somewhere else at lunch and immediately we think about all of the worst-case scenarios. (You'll never have good friends or you won't get into a good college). This is the WORST thing you can do. Feel the feelings of disappointment, but then make a plan of small steps to get to the solution.
LAUGH!
1. Don't be afraid to laugh about it. When we mess up, it is sometimes the easiest way to change our mindset. Laughter can take the sting out of it.
Optimistic Explanation
1. Ask yourself a few questions
2. Where do YOU think the cause is coming from, internal or external?
3. Is this a one-time event or something permanent?
4. Is it only in a certain situation, or is it impacting everything?
5. Example: You failed a district assessment. Instead of focusing on everything bad try looking at it this way.
  1. I didn't study or get enough sleep last night (Internal or external?). This is only one test, I can still do corrections and my grade will come up (is it permanent?), and the teacher has tutorials, so I can get help on what I missed. Plus, I'm doing well in science and I've done okay on my homework (what is the situation?)
6. Self talk is CRITICAL to your ability to be optimistic!