Mental health has remained a serious issue for as long as anyone can remember. The rise of social media and smartphone usage has arguably worsened the crisis, especially among young people. Given this reality, a larger question looms: Can there be an effective, proven method to end the stigma of mental health awareness and provide students the treatment they deserve? Fortunately, there is Hope Squad.

Hope Squad is a youth-centered organization that is committed to helping students seek mental health counseling through evidence-based, peer-to-peer intervention. It was founded in 1999 by former Utah-based high school principal, Dr. Greg Hundall. For over a decade, his school district was marred by tragedy, experiencing an average of one to two youth suicides per year. With no clear solution available, he took it upon himself to combat the growing suicide epidemic in his community. 

In his search for effective strategies, Dr. Hundall noticed that students were much more willing to confide with their peers rather than their parents or a trusted adult. This realization highlighted the potential for peer-to-peer intervention practices, which eventually became the foundation of the program. Over time, Hope Squad proved to be a massive success as the suicide rate plummeted.

Today, over 2,000 schools in the United States and Canada have established their own Hope Squad program. The Fallsburg Central School District is one of the most recent districts in Sullivan County to participate.

The district was selected by Sullivan 180, which helps facilitate and fund Hope Squad, to participate in a pilot program in early 2025. During that time, newly selected members and advisors learned the tenants of Hope Squad, shared information about the program with students, and engaged in team-building exercises to strengthen relationships with one another. By the start of the 2025–2026 school year, the district officially launched the program.

To become a member of Hope Squad, students must be nominated by their peers. While the criteria to become a member isn’t necessarily strict, there are several characteristics that students consider during the nomination process. Some of which include trustworthiness, patience, empathy, and consistent school presence. Those who are selected undergo training on how to respond when a student may be experiencing a mental health crisis. It is emphasized that Hope Squad members are not trained mental health counselors; rather, they are instructed to refer students to professional counselors if necessary. Currently, nearly two dozen Fallsburg students are members of Hope Squad.

Several members were asked how the program has impacted them personally and the district thus far. They believe their presence has helped reduce stigma while also making them more attentive listeners and stronger problem solvers. Most importantly, they view it as a great honor to be chosen by their peers to serve as mental health advocates. Marilyn Santos, a senior at Fallsburg Junior-Senior High School and a Hope Squad member, strongly shares this sentiment.

“I think it’s mainly the fact that my peers see me as someone they can approach,” said Marilyn. “Knowing that they trust me enough to talk to me or believe that I’ll be there for them is what keeps me going. I feel like I do it for them.”

Fallsburg was already considered a strong candidate to participate in the program in large part to several staff members having suicide-prevention training, otherwise known as QPR training (Question, Persuade, Refer). One of the QPR-trained staff members that is currently leading Hope Squad is high school staff member, Kristen Meyer.

Kristen witnessed first-hand the devastating effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on students' mental health–not just because of the emotional toll from isolation, but also the difficult and unstable home life some students dealt with. “Having these programs in place can help them self-identify that they have an issue and need to talk to somebody about it,” said Kristen Meyer. “We want these kids to graduate here in the best shape possible.” 

With less than a year since the program’s launch, members report that students have been reaching out for help or simply to have someone listen. While this is an encouraging sign, there still remains a significant barrier when it comes to students seeking professional counseling. High school guidance counselor and Hope Squad co-advisor Rachel Artale has expressed concerns about the lack of trust some students feel toward counselors.

“If a student is going through a crisis, the Hope Squad members connect them to their counselor or social worker. But they all kind of had a similar concern of "what if a kid doesn't want to talk to their social worker or counselor because they don't know them?” said Rachel. 

She emphasized the importance of building visibility and familiarity as a way to establish trust. One solution she took upon herself was creating a bulletin board featuring guidance counselors, social workers, and Hope Squad members, complete with names and photos. Like most new initiatives, however, the program will require time before its full impact becomes clear.

When asked about the program’s successes so far, Kristen cautioned against declaring any definitive changes to the overall mental health in the district. Still, she sees clear signs of progress. “We have had referrals from students at the high school and middle school already, it [Hope Squad] is working,” said Kristen. “I can’t tell you statistically how we’re doing, but we’ve had the referrals coming in. And hopefully, the more we put ourselves out there, the more they’ll be willing to tell other students about it. And then eventually, talk to us about it.”