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PROVO — The Jason Foundation reports that on average over 5,400 American teenagers attempt suicide every day. On Friday, dozens of high school students from around the state gathered for a training session on how they can help prevent their peers from making a decision like that.
Teens are more likely to talk to each other in these scenarios believing that their peers can better relate to their stories.
Every student in Friday's event learned how to listen and be prepared to help one of their peers who may be contemplating suicide.
“We basically watch out for the kids in our school and try to prevent suicides and suicidal thoughts,” Emiliee Matheson, HOPE Squad president, said.
Matheson is one of 2,500 HOPE Squad members throughout Utah who talked Friday about the warning signs of teen suicide, and how individuals can become a positive influence.
"There are lots of things that I didn't realize could hurt someone or be offensive to them and things I need to remember to watch out for, and it is exciting to see things that I need to help others with and how I can help them,” Matheson said.
The HOPE squad was developed by Greg Hudnall from the Provo School District.
The program helped prevent teen suicides in Provo for nine years, and Hudnall credits this to the fact that students showed their peers that they care about them.
"These students are nominated by their peers in the school and then they are trained to monitor and get to know the students in their school and to reach out to them if they see someone struggling,” Hudnall said.
Crisis Hotlines
- Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226- 4433
- Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373- 7393
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1- 866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: nam iut.org
- Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: a fsputah.com
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Last year, there were 34 HOPE Squads in Utah schools — this year there are 128.
“I believe in this cause because I believe everyone needs a friend,” Tanner Bennett, HOPE Squad member, said.
Bennett got involved with the HOPE squad after losing his best friend to suicide in eighth grade.
"It gives them someone they know they can talk to, someone they know cares about them and will be with them every step of the way,” Bennett said.
And that's why organizers of the HOPE Squad said they feel so much hope.
“These kids are amazing, they love to feel like they are making a difference. They are not training to be counselors or therapists, but kids will talk to kids even when they won't talk to adults,” Hudnall said.
If you or somebody you know is in need of help, there are resources available.
The Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours at day at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
