Hope Squad

Hope Squad harnesses the power of peer-to-peer connection to reduce the risk of suicide by partnering with local mental health agencies and training members to recognize warning signs and connect those struggling to help, Hope Squad builds positive relationships and changes the culture surrounding mental health.

Last reviewed: 2024


Intended Outcomes:

  • Developing emotional intelligence
  • Cultivating empathy
  • Understanding ourselves
  • Developing resilience
  • Bullying prevention
  • Developing emotional intelligence

Continuum of Care:
Universal Prevention

Topic Areas:
Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Depression, Suicide

Ages:
Childhood (4-12), Teen/Adolescent (13-18)

Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban

Delivery Settings:
School-Based

Cultural Considerations:
Limited research found involving diverse populations

Audience:
Youth in schools: Elementary, middle, and high school.

Credentials:
None, but facilitator must partner with a licensed mental health provider.

Manuals:
Yes

Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info

Who can provide the required training?
Hope Squad can provide training. Please use the following link to contact them for more information: https://hopesquad.com/get-started

Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website

Program/Practice Website:
https://hopesquad.com/

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:

Wright-Berryman, J., Thompson, D., & Cramer, R. J. (2022). Reducing suicide-related stigma through peer-to-peer school-based suicide prevention programming. Children & Schools, 44(4) 1-8.

Unable to be Rated

WV Rating:
Unable to Be Rated
»WV Ratings Info

Rationale for Rating:

This program, in limited capacity, has shown to help reduce suicide-related stigma in schools in one study that utilized a cross-sectional comparison between schools who do and who do not use Hope Squad. No randomized trials have been conducted yet, though the developers state that is in progress.

Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified

Other Registries/Ratings

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Not On Registry

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Not On Registry

Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry