Lights, Camera, H.O.P.E

On Tuesday, April 23rd, three students from the HOPE Squad at Springville Junior High were interviewed by KSL’s Nadine Wimmer about suicide and suicide prevention. The students were interviewed to be in a special segment called “Breaking the Silence on Suicide.”  Mrs. Droz, the seventh grade counselor and head of the HOPE Squad, asked  Spencer Johnson, an eighth grader, and Halle Acor and Jacqueline Bradford, both ninth graders at the junior high, to represent the members of the HOPE squad since they are all so well spoken.  The special segment was then aired Thursday, April 25th at 10pm.

Utah is ranked fifth in the nation for the highest suicide rate in young teens and children. That is why Hope for Utah was created. Hope for Utah is a program that started with in the Provo School District that has helped keep their suicide rate down. Since the program was created, Provo has not had a child commit suicide. This sparked a whole new idea: the HOPE Squad.The HOPE Squad spread from the Provo School District to Nebo School District, which is how our own HOPE Squad here at Springville Junior High came to be. Mrs. Drox said, “We hear so much about bullying, that we tend to forget that an overwhelming majority of teens care about one another, and really want to help each other out. The HOPE Squad provides guidance to teens in how to help students who are struggling. Simple, little things can make a huge impact in a student’s life. One of the HOPE Squad’s simple messages is ‘Don’t Keep Deadly Secrets,’ meaning that if you suspect someone is having suicidal thoughts, you should let a trusted adult know immediately. Another message of the HOPE Squad is Be An Ally. Which is about encouraging students to step in and help students who may be getting picked on or harassed.”

Spencer, Halle, and Jacqueline were asked if they knew people who had experienced thoughts of suicide, what parents should do to make sure their children are okay, and what students should do if they were ever put in that situation. Spencer said, “Suicide is something that needs to be talked about. It might be awkward or hard, but it needs to be brought up.” No one knows why Utah’s Suicide rate is so high but specialists are trying to figure out a solution to the problem. Meanwhile the HOPE Squad at Springville Junior High are giving it all they’ve got to stop the thoughts of suicide. Mrs. Maughan, HOPE squad advisor, said, “Mostly, I want everyone to know that their life has value, and there is hope out there. If you feel comfortable talking to teachers, counselors, principals, etc. that’s great! If you don’t, then your peers (HOPE Squad) can help too. Talking with someone about how you feel is important. If anyone is having thoughts of taking their own life they should take a moment to tell someone and get help.”

In the KSL interview, the students were asked what advice parents and students should follow to get help and help others, including loved ones. Halle said, “Parents should get involved on Facebook and in text messages to help prevent things like bullying and thoughts of depression from continuing to happen. If that’s the case you should just try to talk to them.” Parents usually don’t seem to know their child has or has had depression and suicidal thoughts before it’s too late. The person suffering from these things usually turns to their friends or just keeps the thoughts locked up inside. Halle Acor said, “There are so many people that can reach out and help you. The HOPE Squad has been taught how to handle it and we know what to do in that circumstance. The best thing you can do is tell someone.”

There are many young teens suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. “It’s a real thing that is happening and it’s growing,” said Jacqueline. Many national and local agencies have an anonymous suicide hotline that students can call if they are feeling that they need to take their own life, and the Provo School District has a website with advice for all parents and teens called “Hope4Utah.”  Spencer, said, “I’m glad that we have a program like this to help students and save lives.”You can find more information about the HOPE Squad here, and you can find out more about suicide prevention and how to get help at: http://www.hope4utah.com/.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK.