Understanding the Role of a Hope Squad Advisor

Educators care deeply about their students—but their schedules, email inboxes, and classrooms are usually already packed to the brim. So, when the idea of advising a student mental health group comes up, important questions often follow:

• What exactly will I be responsible for? ‍
• Is this one more thing added to my plate? ‍
• Do I even have the capacity right now?

These questions—and more—are both common and completely valid.  

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When it comes to Hope Squad, the short answer is this: Being an Advisor is not about adding more.  

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Hope Squad is intentionally designed so that Advisors act as navigators, not drivers—guiding student leaders using the structure, tools, and direction that Hope Squad provides.

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Below, we answer the most common questions about the Hope Squad Advisor role.

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What does a Hope Squad Advisor do?

At its core, the role of a Hope Squad Advisor is to be a trusted adult.  

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Hope Squad Members are selected and trained to support their peers, promote connection, and identify peers who may need additional support. Advisors are there to provide oversight, encouragement, and guidance—not to run the program on their own.  

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The Advisor role at a glance

A Hope Squad Advisor:

• Receives training from Hope Squad staff to feel confident and equipped for the role
• Facilitates meetings and lessons using turnkey Hope Squad materials
• Supports Members as they plan activities, outreach, and awareness efforts  
• Acts as a bridge between the Squad and school or community partners

Notably, a Hope Squad Advisor is not:

• Expected to act as a counselor, therapist, or crisis responder
• Responsible for “fixing” student mental health challenges
• Required to create curriculum or lessons from scratch
• Expected to lead every initiative or carry the program alone  

Hope Squad provides a clear framework and evidence-informed resources so Advisors can focus on what they already do best: supporting students.  

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“As a Hope Squad Advisor, I’m proud to be part of a program that empowers students to support one another, raise awareness about mental health, and foster a school culture of kindness and understanding. It's incredibly rewarding to witness students grow into leaders who truly care for the well-being of their peers."

— Roy Rodriguez, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Hope Squad Advisor

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What is the time commitment for a Hope Squad Advisor?

We often hear that time is one of the biggest concerns and for good reason.  

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Understanding how much school professionals have on their plates, Hope Squad is intentionally built to be flexible and adaptable, not rigid or overwhelming. As a result, the time commitment is determined by each Squad’s structure—and each Advisor’s capacity.  

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Because Hope Squad is designed to fit into each school’s rhythms, there is no fixed time requirement. Timing varies based on factors such as school size, student needs, and the Squad’s age or stage.  

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Many Advisors meet with Squads during an existing club period, advisory or homeroom block, or lunch period, so that meetings do not add to the length of their school day. Others find that sharing the role between co-Advisors ensures that the lift remains light.  

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Hope Squad is not an “all or nothing” commitment. It is designed to scale up or down as needed. Advisors are never locked into a rigid schedule or overwhelming expectations.  

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Sustainability—for both Members and Advisors—is always the goal.

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How does Hope Squad support Advisors?  

Hope Squad recognizes that school professionals carry a heavy load. That’s why the program is intentionally turnkey, ensuring Advisors are never starting from scratch.

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Ready-to-use lessons & materials

Hope Squad provides:

• Structured lesson plans and a suggested fidelity path
• Clear learning objectives, discussion prompts, and activities
• Developmentally appropriate, evidence-based mental health programming
• Schoolwide and family connection resources

This allows Advisors to show up prepared—without spending extra time planning or researching.

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“Hope Squad has provided such a foundation...the lessons that we teach and the discussions that we have are just so valuable.”  

— Lori Baldwin, Bonneville High School Hope Squad Advisor

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Ongoing support & guidance

Advisors are not expected to have all the answers. Just as Hope Squad programming encourages students to normalize asking for help, our Advisors know that support is always available to them as well.

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Hope Squad’s Customer Success Team offers ongoing support beyond initial training, including:

• Monthly newsletters and support calls
• An online Advisor community
• An easily accessible knowledge bank
• Scheduled touchpoints with our team

Hope Squad empowers Advisors to share ideas, find answers, troubleshoot challenges, and grow with confidence.

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How does being a Hope Squad Advisor benefit the adult?

While Hope Squads revolve around students, Advisors often report that the experience is meaningful for them, too.

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Advisors frequently describe deeper connections with students and a renewed sense of purpose in their role as a trusted adult and educator. Advisors also learn alongside their Squads— gaining language, tools, and strategies that support their own well-being.  

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Conversations about help-seeking, boundary-setting, and coping strategies often resonate personally and benefit Advisors in both their personal and professional lives. For many Advisors, Hope Squad becomes a space that supports their well-being—rather than draining it.

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“What I love most about being a Hope Squad Advisor is how personally relevant it is to me and loved ones I know. I also appreciate that the way that I can connect with Members and even students in the general population is so much deeper and more meaningful than it is in the regular classroom.”  

— Alex Buerket, William Mason High School Hope Squad Advisor

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Hope Squad Advisors: Navigators not drivers

Being a Hope Squad Advisor isn’t about taking on another program—it’s about guiding students who are already doing meaningful work.  

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To be a Hope Squad Advisor, you don’t need to be a mental health expert, you don’t need to add hours of prep to your week, and you don’t need to do it alone.

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Hope Squad empowers students to lead by providing the map while supporting the Advisors who help navigate the journey every step of the way.

“It is the building of empowered and trusted student leaders that has made Hope Squad exceptional and transformative for Falmouth High. The teachers’ leadership that fosters confidence among student Members—helping them listen, connect, and care for every scholar—makes our school safer every day.”
—  Alan Harris, Falmouth High School Principal

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