Hope Squad

About Us

BYU–Hawaii is an organization that meets every Wednesday in room 190 of the Stake Center.

The BYU–Hawaii Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program where students are nominated by the Hope Squad student team, as well as campus administration, faculty and staff. They are seen as trustworthy and trained to recognize and respond to signs of distress in their peers.

They are not meant to be counselors, but rather a bridge to connect students in need with trusted adults and resources. Hope Squad aims to foster human connection, reduce stigma related to mental health, and create a supportive environment within the campus community.

• Nomination:
  Students are nominated as an indication that they are seen as approachable and trustworthy.
• Training:
  Hope Squad members receive training weekly on how to identify warning signs of suicide, how to approach and listen to a struggling peer, and how to connect them with appropriate support. These trainings are called “Hope Talks,” and “Hope Training.”
• Not Counselors:
  Importantly, Hope Squad members are not meant to act as therapists or counselors. Their role is to be a first point of contact, a safe space person to share concerns with, and a facilitator for connecting them with trained professionals. 
• Focus on Connection:
  Hope Squad emphasize the importance of human connection and creating a culture of support and understanding within the school. 
• Stigma Reduction:
  Hope Squad works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide by promoting open communication and encouraging students to seek help when needed.
• Evidence-Based Approach:
  Hope Squads utilize an evidence-based curriculum and approach to suicide prevention, ensuring their training and interventions are effective.
• Membership:
  BYU-Hawaii students can become Hope Squad members by attending three Hope Talks or Hope Trainings and one QPR training facilitated by Counseling Services.
  An “active member” is defined as a member who attends at least one Hope Talk or Hope Training per month and at least one Hope Squad sponsored activity per month.