Hope Squads support classmates with suicide prevention video

Lauren and Jack smiled into a camera lens at North Star High School as they delivered a hopeful message filled with lifesaving words.
 
Both students played key roles as Lincoln Public Schools Hope Squad members in a new video for National Suicide Prevention Month in September. The project is part of the school district’s multi-pronged suicide prevention strategy. All LPS middle and high school students will view the message during the month and LPS also plans to send it to all families. 
 
Lauren is co-president of North Star’s chapter of Hope Squad, which is an organization prominently featured in the video. Hope Squad members help their classmates by connecting them with trusted adults and providing them with information about suicide prevention awareness. Lauren said she believes the project will let hundreds of students know they have built-in support networks at each of their schools.
 
“We’re just hoping it spreads more awareness so more people know about Hope Squad and are aware that their peers are there to help them,” Lauren said.

One of the video’s top goals is to increase knowledge about the many services that school counselors and social workers provide to students. A second purpose is to show students that they can talk to trusted peers in the building if they need help. A third intent is to show everyone in Lincoln that speaking about mental health and suicide prevention can save lives.

 
LPS Mental Health Coordinator Andrea Phillips and LPS School Counseling Supervisor Lori Hemmett complimented Lauren and Jack after watching them deliver flawless lines inside the school. Hemmett said the compassionate and caring tone of the suicide prevention video would benefit students in many ways.
 
“The making of this video is huge for us because it allows us to have ownership over what we feel is most important to get kids the help they need,” Hemmett said. “It helps us communicate where we are, how we help, how to find us and that there is help in the building. There is a place to go.”

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control illustrate the video’s importance. A CDC report listed suicide as the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-14 in 2022. It was the third-leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.
 
There were 493 people ages 10-14 in the U.S. who died by suicide in 2022 and 6,040 in the 15-24 age group. There were 306 deaths by suicide among all age groups in Nebraska in 2022.

High school students at East, North Star and Standing Bear and middle school students at Culler, Mickle and Park participated in the project. They signed up for speaking spots and then filmed scenes at each school building. The school district’s communications team assisted with the production of the project and encouraged them as they read lines in libraries, hallways and front entrances.
 
Kylee Washburn works with sixth graders at Culler Middle School as a school counselor. She helped a group of seventh- and eighth-grade Cougars prepare for their on-camera moments. Helen, Moriah, Javier, Meadow, Don, Elsa and Don played a board game for one video segment before Elsa, Don and Helen spoke reassuring words.

 
Washburn said it was important for students to hear a serious message like suicide prevention directly from their classmates. Hope Squad members spoke about paying attention to warning signs such as disconnection from family and friends, and they emphasized the need to talk about grace, hope and perseverance with others. They also showed how to dial the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline of 988, shared smiles in an East High School hallway and helped each other open a locker at Mickle.
 
“I definitely think it’s more relatable coming from people their own age,” Washburn said. “You can be told one thing from an adult, but hearing it from someone like you is more impactful.”

 
Phillips said peer-to-peer connections are one of the key benefits of having Hope Squads at LPS buildings. Hope Squad mentors train students how to recognize mental health concerns that their classmates may be expressing or showing. Members like Park eighth grader Kieran and seventh graders Kimberly and Zayden can then talk with them and begin the process of seeking help from adults.
 
Phillips said it is crucial to let all students know that they can reach out to others while walking to class together, studying in the library or riding the same bus.
 
“I think the peer part of Hope Squads is important because a lot of times kids don’t come directly to adults for help,” Phillips said. “Equipping peers to get their friends to a trusted adult is really important because we know kids go to kids.”

 
Lauren said that meaningful mission is why she wanted to join North Star’s squad. 
 
“I like being in Hope Squad because we get to share a positive message with the school,” Lauren said. “We can really encourage the school to come forward if they need help with anything.”
 
The video also spotlighted the critical duties of school counselors and social workers in the suicide prevention effort. Both teams of professionals work with teachers, administrators, school nurses and school psychologists to support students.
 
Washburn is beginning her second year assisting Culler’s Hope Squad. She said the group gives her insight on what issues students are talking about at school. That, in turn, helps her form different strategies for supporting Cougars who are in need of assistance.
 
“It’s really interesting to hear things from their point of view and their perspective,” Washburn said. “It just helps you learn new things and look at things in a different way.”

 
Hemmett said she is encouraged by the mature way LPS students have handled the responsibility of suicide prevention awareness. Just like Lauren and Jack, they are choosing to speak words of life to their classmates each and every day.
 
“We’re noticing that this generation really wants to take care of one another,” Hemmett said. “It feels really good that we can get them the education and support for that so they’re able to make a difference.”

If you or anyone you know is going through a difficult time, we encourage you to call or text 988 to reach the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, connect with a trusted adult or find a Hope Squad member.  
 
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