Churchill County High School students expand peer suicide-prevention work with Hope Squad class
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Students from Churchill County High School presented their Hope Squad peer suicide-prevention program to the school board, described training and outreach plans and requested district support for business cards and social-media guidance.
Churchill County High School students told the Board of Trustees on a suicide-prevention awareness night that their newly expanded Hope Squad program is training peers to recognize warning signs and refer classmates to adults and professional resources.
The students said the club, launched in 2024, is now an official class during the school day and includes training in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), peer support, mental-health awareness and leadership. They described schoolwide events, classroom presentations and outreach activities intended to increase help-seeking and connectedness among students in the rural district.
Board members said the district has prioritized suicide prevention and noted recent districtwide training for staff. Administrators said board policy and regulation on suicide prevention are in place for both students and staff.
Students described practical outreach plans: business cards and bracelets for team identification, posters and presence at games and assemblies, and a proposed Instagram account to broaden reach. They asked the board to review social-media rules so the students’ account could operate within district policy. The superintendent’s office said it would assist with business cards and will review social-media guidelines.
Students also outlined how Hope Squad handles referrals: members are nominated by peers, trained to listen without judgment, and escalate concerns to advisors or counselors if a student appears at high risk. Advisors named in the presentation include Miss Spencer and Miss Lisa Wepner; students said they do not act as clinicians and refer higher-risk cases to professionals.
Board members and audience members praised the students’ work and encouraged continued community partnerships. The presentation coincided with September’s designation as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Board materials say the district has a policy and regulation addressing suicide prevention and expects to continue staff training; trustees and administrators discussed next steps for student engagement and oversight of student-run outreach.