Davidson County Schools introduces Hope Squad for mental health support

Davidson County Schools is focusing on supporting students' mental health by implementing a new program called Hope Squad.

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It's a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program in which students are trained to recognize signs of distress in others and encourage those students to seek help. The program also educates students about mental health to reduce the stigma of seeking help.

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Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Gregg Slate said the program is based on research that shows students will talk to peers before an adult when faced with a mental health crisis.

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"It's all based on kindness and empathy. It's been highly effective in other parts of the country. It was originally instituted in Utah, which had a very high suicide rate, and it's lowered its suicide rate by the use of Hope Squad. We don't have a high suicide rate in Davidson County, but if we can save one life, it's worth it," said Slate.

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Slate said Hope Squad, along with their character education program, shows students that by working together, we can have a better world.

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Originally published at https://www.wxii12.com/article/davidson-county-schools-hope-squad-mental-health/65893341