This past week, the Hope Squad at Reese set out a table at lunchtime to help raise awareness for mental health through the Project Semicolon. Hope Squad is an organization of students trained to recognize and help peers in distress who might be at risk of suicide.
“The thought behind Project Semicolon is this: A semicolon represents a sentence an author could have ended but chose not to. The author is you and the story is your life. This is a powerful movement that some students were already aware of,” said Elyse Evans, Communities in Schools Coordinator. “Our Hope Squad students passed out bracelets, pins, bookmarks, and wallet cards with mental health resources on them. It was great to see how excited the students were about helping with this event.”
The goal of the event was to provide students with a safe environment to receive resources. Evans shares the significance of creating a relaxed environment for these discussions.
“The cafeteria is a nonthreatening neutral zone. If most students are stopping by the Hope Squad table, those who are secretly wanting information can do so without feeling singled out,” she explained.
By integrating mental health education into the school day, they aim to reach students where they spend most of their time.
“Students spend so much of their week at school, it makes sense for us to provide a regular source of information,” said Evans. “These events can also provide students an avenue to bring up these topics with friends who they feel might be struggling in this area.”
Hope Squad member Jaython Beck enjoys serving on the Hope Squad and hopes that he can foster more conversations about mental health.
“My peers inspired me to join. I love students, and I’m good at talking to other people,” said Beck. “Mental Health is an important thing for everybody to know about.”
Elizabeth Rogers, Reese School Counselor, believes that having peer-to-peer conversations can help to reduce the stigma around mental health.
“It has been researched that peers talk with other peers when they are having a hard time, so it's vital that we equip students with how to be a good listener, kind, connected to other students so they feel comfortable talking about mental health to break the stigma,” said Rogers. “When you have built a good relationship, the student is much more willing to be able to be referred to an adult for help.”
If a student is struggling and is unsure what to do, Rogers and Evans suggest reaching out to a trusted adult, Hope Squad member, or looking into Frenship ISD Counseling resources.
“The biggest step I recommend for students who might be struggling with their mental health is to seek a trusted adult. Also, our Frenship ISD counseling website has helpful resources as well,” said Rogers.
“If a student doesn’t feel ready to speak to anyone in their circle, they can use resources like the Project Semicolon website or national hotlines. There are even articles that will walk you through how to tell a loved one that you are struggling with your mental health,” said Evans.
By fostering a supportive environment, the Hope Squad is making significant strides toward reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.