Hope Squad

Hope Squad is an educational program developed to address mental health and suicide prevention in schools. It was founded in 2004.

History
It was founded by Greg Hudnall, a former principal in Provo, Utah, following a series of student suicides, the most notable occurring in 1997 involving a 14-year-old student.

The program's development involved collaboration with Brigham Young University, Wasatch Mental Health, and other organizations, leading to the formation of Hope4Utah. Initially focused on high schools, the scope of Hope Squad expanded to include elementary schools after the suicide of a fourth-grade student.

Hope Squad's approach involves training students to recognize and respond to mental distress and suicidal ideation among their peers. Its establishment was a response to high rates of youth suicide in the western United States, particularly in Utah, where it has become the leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 18.

The program began in Utah, where it was implemented in 70 percent of schools, and subsequently expanded to other states including Wyoming and Alaska. Its growth continued across the United States and Canada, leading to the formation of numerous Hope Squad chapters.