• What Is Hope Squad?

    Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention to break the stigma and silence that surrounds mental health.

    Plano ISD has Hope Squads on all 10 (9-12th grade) campuses. If you want more information on how to get involved in Hope Squad in Plano ISD please reach out to your 9-12 campus. 

    Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. Currently, 108 Plano ISD students are trained on our 9-12 campuses. So far for the 2021-22 school year the data shows that our Hope Squad members have helped 36 of their peers who are struggling and have worked with them to get the help they need.

    Plano ISD Hope Squad teams are making an impact on their campuses and community by:

    • creating mental health check-ins,
    • creating gratitude walls,
    • preparing Suicide Awareness activities,
    • school wide lessons,
    • theme days,
    • acts of kindness days,
    • volunteering and
    • speaking in the community.

    In September, Hope Squad members addressed a group of counselors from across Collin County who were curious about Hope Squad, how impactful it could be for their students and communities, what the challenges have been in getting started. These members spoke of the importance of being there for their classmates, supporting them when they needed someone to talk with, being willing to listen and not project their own stories or experiences onto those of their peers but to genuinely listen to provide compassion, kindness and empathy.  They are truly changing the culture of mental health in Plano ISD. 

    For more information about the national Hope Squad organization, visit hopesquad.com.

    Exciting Announcement! Day of Hope is on February 17!

    Proclamation

    John Muns, Mayor of the City of Plano, has proclaimed Thursday, February 17, 2022 as The Day of Hope in the City of Plano. 

    Plano ISD Hope Squads joined forces and collaborated with the Mayor’s office to raise awareness for suicide prevention. During the Day of Hope, High School and Senior High School students in Plano ISD will take part in activities that promote hope to try and destigmatize mental health issues and empower others to ask for help if they are in an emotional crisis. The Day of Hope also works to bring awareness to mental health resources in the community, including local crisis teams, therapists, psychologists, and more. Local resources can be found here.

    Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that works to reduce suicide through public awareness and education. Plano ISD Hope Squad teams are making an impact on their campuses and community by creating mental health check-ins, gratitude walls, preparing Suicide Awareness activities, schoolwide lessons, theme days, acts of kindness days, and volunteering and speaking in the community.  They are truly changing the culture of mental health in Plano. 

    For more information about Hope Squad, visit hopesquad.com.