HOPE Squads: Embracing a Culture of Kindness and Support
Table of Contents
- 1. HOPE Squads: Embracing a Culture of Kindness and Support
- 2. Spreading Positivity and Raising awareness
- 3. Breaking Down Stigma and Fostering Open Dialog
- 4. Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
- 5. HOPE Beyond the Week
- 6. What are some of the specific challenges that HOPE Squad members face in their role as advocates for mental health at Crestview High School?
- 7. HOPE Squads: Embracing a culture of Kindness and Support
- 8. interview with Bella Hernandez, HOPE Squad Member, and Stacy Burlison, Mental Health Counselor, Crestview High School
In an effort to address the growing mental health concerns among youth, Okaloosa County schools have implemented innovative programs like the HOPE Squad. This peer-support initiative, culminating in the annual “HOPE Week,” aims to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel safe discussing their struggles and knowing they are not alone.
Spreading Positivity and Raising awareness
HOPE Week activities go beyond simply raising awareness. They actively encourage positive interactions and break down the stigma surrounding mental health. Students engage in activities ranging from sharing positive affirmations to creating handprint banners symbolizing their commitment to supporting peers. Photos of students smiling and embracing each other fill a dedicated photo wall, serving as a constant reminder of the power of unity and compassion.
“Just seeing that pure happiness, it’s just special,” says Bella Hernandez, a senior at Crestview High School, who is a member of the HOPE squad. “I just want them to know that they are very important and they are very valued.”
Breaking Down Stigma and Fostering Open Dialog
The impact of HOPE squad extends beyond a week-long event. Mental health counselor Stacy Burlison credits the program for creating a space where students feel cozy discussing mental health openly. “They’re talking to their peers about mental health,” Burlison explains. ”They’re advocating for positive affirmations, and journaling, and coping skills, and they’re modeling that. And it’s just not a taboo subject anymore. It’s something we talk about now.”
Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
asher Guillory,a junior at Crestview High,emphasizes the sense of hope and community fostered by the program. “We want to inspire everybody to believe that there is so much joy in life,” Guillory says.”And there’s so much to live for and that there’s so many people that are rooting on them.”
Burlison echoes this sentiment, stating, “Growing up can be hard, and knowing that other people are walking with you, and some of the same paths, and some of the same struggles, it just kind of makes this a family here.”
HOPE Beyond the Week
the dedication of HOPE Squad members goes beyond the annual celebration.they remain active year-round, providing consistent support and guidance to their peers. And as they brainstorm ideas for next year’s HOPE Week, their commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate school environment shines through.
The HOPE Squad program serves as a powerful example of how schools can proactively address mental health challenges. By empowering students to support one another, these initiatives create a ripple affect of kindness and understanding that extends far beyond the classroom walls.
Let’s all strive to create a world where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to pursue a healthy and fulfilling life.
What are some of the specific challenges that HOPE Squad members face in their role as advocates for mental health at Crestview High School?
HOPE Squads: Embracing a culture of Kindness and Support
interview with Bella Hernandez, HOPE Squad Member, and Stacy Burlison, Mental Health Counselor, Crestview High School
Archyde: Bella, thank you for joining us today.Can you tell us about your experience as a member of the HOPE Squad?
Bella Hernandez: It’s been amazing! Seeing how much HOPE Week means to other students is truly heartwarming. It’s great to create a space where people feel pleasant talking about mental health and know they’re not alone.
Archyde: What are some of the activities the HOPE Squad organizes during HOPE Week?
Bella Hernandez: we have a lot of fun activities! There are positive affirmation stations, where students can write encouraging messages to each other. We create huge handprint banners symbolizing our support for one another. And this year,we had a “smile wall” where everyone could share photos of themselves smiling and feeling happy.
Archyde: Stacy, as a mental health counselor, how has the HOPE Squad program impacted the school surroundings?
Stacy Burlison: It’s been incredible. The HOPE Squad has really broken down the stigma surrounding mental health. Students are now more comfortable talking openly with their peers about their struggles. They’re advocating for positive self-care practices like journaling, affirmations, and coping skills, and it’s simply amazing to see them take ownership of their well-being
Archyde: Asher, you mentioned earlier that the HOPE Squad aims to inspire hope and community.Can you elaborate on that?
asher Guillory: Absolutely. We want students to know that there’s so much joy and possibility in life, even when things get tough. It’s about reminding them that they have a support system, that people care about them, and that they’re not alone on their journey.
Archyde: this program seems to be having a truly positive impact. How do you see the HOPE Squad continuing to evolve and support students in the years to come?
Bella Hernandez: We’re always brainstorming new ideas to make HOPE Week even more meaningful. We want to expand our peer-to-peer support initiatives and reach out to even more students.
Stacy Burlison: The hope is that the culture of kindness and support that the HOPE Squad has fostered will continue to grow, even beyond a single week. We want to empower students to become advocates for each other and create a school environment where everyone feels valued and safe to be their authentic selves.
archyde: What message would you like to leave with our readers about taking care of their mental well-being and supporting others?
bella Hernandez & Stacy Burlison (together): Remember that you’re not alone.Talk to someone you trust if you’re struggling. And remember, even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day. Let’s create a world where everyone feels supported and empowered to thrive.
