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 (9-12^th grade) campuses and selected middle school campuses. If you want more information on how to get involved in Hope Squad in Plano ISD please reach out to your campus. 

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.