Hope Squads reduce youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. Hope Squad members are nominated by their peers for being trustworthy and good listeners. They are trained to notice when a peer is at risk of suicide, reach out, and refer them to a trusted adult. Hope Squad members also learn how to promote connectedness and mental wellness.

In schools that have implemented Hope Squads, research shows students are more likely to seek help from adults when feeling sad or hopeless, as well as refer peers who need help. The program is in over 950 schools across 30 U.S. states and Canada.

Flandreau Public School District was awarded the Cook Center for Human Connection Suicide Prevention Grant to implement Hope Squad. Flandreau Public School District was one of 12 school districts across the country to receive funding. We are proud to be the first Hope Squad school in the state of South Dakota!