SVMS Hope Squad

Hope Squad

Lead Advisor:

Stella Peuse speuse@scottsvalleyusd.org

Advisors:

Abbie Stevens astevens@scottsvalleyusd.org

Allison Baumsteiger abaumsteiger@scottsvalleyusd.org

Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer youth crisis and suicide prevention program that uses evidence-based strategies. The program aims to create a school culture that promotes connectedness and inclusivity by spreading hope. The Hope Squad is made up of students who are selected for their kindness, approachability, and trustworthiness to help prevent mental health crises among their peers. At SVMS, the Hope Squad program is composed of 15-20 members per grade who can meet bi-weekly to plan school-wide, wellness-focused activities. This initiative has been successfully implemented at Scotts Valley High School, and we plan to continue this successful, wellness-based education at SVMS.

The program aims to educate students about the importance of mental health and equip them with the skills to support their peers. However, it does not intend to train students to become professional counselors. Instead, students will be taught how to recognize when a peer is in a difficult situation and guide them towards a trusted adult for help. The instructors are staff and faculty members who have undergone training in youth suicide prevention.

Students will be trained in six areas:

  • Safety

  • Bullying Prevention

  • Connectedness

  • Mental Wellness

  • Reducing Stigma

  • Substance Misuse

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hope squad

Resources for Parents

Local Resources

Santa Cruz County Schools Student & Family Behavioral Health Supports

CRISIS SUPPORT

A crisis line is a service that provides free, confidential support and resources for people in emotional distress. The service is provided by a trained crisis counselor on the phone and in some cases by text and/or chat. You can call or text for help with someone you're worried about or for yourself.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

or chat 988Lifeline.org

988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+)

Text START to 678-678

1-866-488-7386

Local 24-Hour Suicide Crisis Line

1-877-663-5433 (ONE LIFE)  Serving Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties for over 50 years

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call or text 988

Crisis Text Line

Text HELLO to 741-741 Other information: Go to www.crisistextline.org

Mobile Emergency Response Team for Youth (MERTY)

1-800-952-2335

Website for Details

Disclaimer: The resources listed here are for informational purposes only. Although we do initially research the resources we mention, Scotts Valley Middle School does not endorse all their services or their opinions. We encourage you to make sure that any resource you choose to use provides services and counsel that are compatible with your own convictions and needs.