Hope Squads help support student mental health across Wisconsin

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Hope Squads are making a difference in students’ mental health.

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The Hope Squad program began in Utah in 2004 as a suicide prevention method. Each squad is made up of students who have training to support their peers. They learn how to facilitate conversations about mental health.  

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Wisconsin’s first Hope Squad is in the Elmbrook School District.

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“Sometimes it is me reaching out to someone I see is struggling,” said Brookfield Central senior and Hope Squad member Cooper Devine. “Maybe I see them and they’re acting different than they usually do, and I don’t know what that means. So I ask them about it.”

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Members of the Hope Squad are nominated by their peers. Their curriculum includes things like how to set boundaries, language to use and when to involve a trusted adult.

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“We’ve really seen a shift in that open dialogue around mental health and self-care and wellness,” said Brookfield Central school psychologist Jennie Katrichis.

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Staff at Elmbrook found the program after a devastating year for their community.

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"We experienced a significant amount of loss around 2015,” said Aimee Schneidewent, Brookfield East school psychologist. “Since we’ve implemented Hope Squad, we’ve not had any loss.”

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Visibility is a vital part of the program. All over the school, signs are posted listing the Hope Squad roster. That way, students know who to go to if they need support.

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“They have wristbands, they have sweatshirts,” Schneidewent said. “We have a Hope Squad hallway at East with messages of hope, and they have their pictures shown. Every classroom has a poster with the student names so students know who they can go to.”

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The Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows students are twice as likely to talk to a peer about mental health compared to an adult. That high level of awareness makes a big difference, according to Brookfield Central student and Hope Squad member Inzal Sharwani.

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“We’re talking about it every week. We’re used to having these conversations,” Sharwani said. “With the whole visibility thing, people really know that there’s someone there for you.”

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There are now more than 100 Hope Squads across Wisconsin.

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“These guys have been the champions and our greatest ambassadors of hope,” Katrichis said. “We couldn’t be more proud and thrilled of the work they do each and every day.”

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