GRHS Hope Squad completes annual Hope Week

Green River – Green River High School concluded their annual Hope Week activities on Friday, September 25^th. Each day promoted mental health awareness and suicide prevention. This included challenges, lunchtime activities, and evening events open to the community.

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As is the case every year, Hope Week 2026 had a specific theme: Hope in Action. The schedule for the week states, “Hope isn’t just something we have. It’s something we put into action.”

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Hope Week is put on by the Green River High School (GRHS) Hope Squad. The program consists of peer-nominated students and faculty advisors. Danielle Deters, a school counsellor and social worker, leads the group. Each participating student is trained on better understanding mental health, noticing signs of distress, and connecting their peers to resources.

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The program challenges a school culture that otherwise might stigmatize topics of mental health. Deters observes that through Hope Squad, students are “more empowered to get help.”  Since GRHS integrated Hope Squad, she has seen a noticeable influx of students knocking on her door.

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Jaycee, a senior and returning member of Hope Squad, also vouches for the effectiveness of the program. She notes that her peers are more willing to get help after they confide in her. “They’re a little more open with me,” she says. Nominations for members of the Hope Squad are done anonymously. Each student has option to decline joining, must receive parent permission, and can stay in the program for the remainder of their high school experience.

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Members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. From football players to band members, each student is united by a determination to spread awareness about mental health.

School District Supports Mental Health

Sweetwater County School District #2 has a strong reputation for its mental health efforts. GRHS has multiple programs that run throughout the year. COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) connects individuals with groups in outside agencies. The Jae Boots Foundation educates seniors on suicide prevention in a presentation every year. The Boomerang Project trains seniors and juniors to help freshmen adjust to high school.

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Elementary and middle schools in the school district are also supported. The All Pro Dad groups connect students with positive adult role models through school-based activities. Lincoln Middle School has its own Hope Squad. They regularly meet with members of the GRHS Hope Squad. Each school provides age-appropriate activities to support students with building positive relationships. Students learn when and how to get help.

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As needed, the school district also provides other resources such as behavior support, yoga, and career readiness. This is accomplished through their wellness center.

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Hope Week Activities

This year, Hope Week belonged to the community as much as it belonged to GRHS. Monday’s lunch included a visit from the Green River Police Department (GRPD) and Buddy, a therapy dog. The evening, which welcomed everybody, was “Chalk Night”. Students and community members decorated the High School concrete grounds with chalk decorations and inspirational messages.

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Tuesday’s lunch was a tongue and cheek “cake walk”, where students perused a long array of cakes themed around Hope Week. They—and the rest of Green River—returned in the evening for a “studio night” in a GRHS classroom. Wednesday let students out early for lunch. Later, the community came together for a 5K fun run/walk.

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Thursday’s evening was more subdued with a mind jar/craft night. The next day, new Hope Squad nominations were announced. Students also dressed in outfits inspired by Dolly Parton.

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For every day of Hope Week, students completed a challenge. Each one was simple. From “share an encouraging word with someone who may need it” to “share a moment when someone helped you”, the challenges were structured around building connections.

Hope Squad’s Year-Round Impact

For students like Jaycee, Hope Squad has been instrumental in shaping perceptions of mental health. She reflects on how struggling might not look the same for everyone. “It brings more awareness of what mental health looks like,” Jaycee says. “It can be different.”

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Hope Squad has also impacted Jaycee personally. “I find the confidence to be myself more,” she says. “I like doing it.

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September is Suicide Awareness Month. As it comes to an end, Hope Squad will still meet. Efforts to support mental health will continue. If you or anybody that you know is struggling, there is help available. Please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988, or dial 911 in cases of emergency.

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Originally published at https://wyo4news.com/news/grhs-hope-squad-completes-annual-hope-week/