Just before Thanksgiving Break, the Hope Squad at the Reese Education Center hosted a Jeopardy game for their fellow students. The friendly competition included questions about coping strategies, mental health professions, and suicidal warning signs, along with general knowledge about Frenship and Thanksgiving. 

The idea for the Jeopardy event came directly from the Hope Squad students during a recent meeting with their sponsors. Elizabeth Rogers, the Reese Counselor and Hope Squad sponsor, asked the students for suggestions to engage their peers, and the squad suggested Jeopardy. 

The Hope Squad students worked in collaboration with Rogers to organize the event and develop the questions for Jeopardy. Roger explained that their goal was to implement the knowledge and skills about mental health in a fun, engaging setting.  

“It was awesome for our students to make this lesson very student-centered and take ownership of the delivery of the lesson,” said Rogers. 

Rogers and the Hope Squad strive to host events such as this to ensure that students are getting the skills and knowledge about mental health that can benefit them while they are in school and beyond. 

Logan Constancio, a Reese Hope Squad member, emphasized the importance of focusing on mental health in school.  

“It is important students know this information,” said Constancio. “In case they need it themselves or know people who do. It's very important because you don't know what everyone is going through.”  

Earlier this year, the Hope Squad set up a table during lunch and passed out bracelets, pins, bookmarks, and wallet cards with mental health resources on them. With each event, Rogers has noticed growing engagement from students who are increasingly responding to the Hope Squad’s efforts. 

“It is very pleasing to see as a school counselor and I know our Hope Squad students greatly benefit as well,’ said Rogers. “It has made the overall culture and climate of Reese Education Center a more positive and welcoming experience. “ 

The Hope Squad is helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health by building a strong and supportive community one event at a time.