Aspen, Colorado – This spring, Aspen Middle School will introduce a peer-to-peer mental health support initiative, expanding on a program that has already seen success at Aspen High School over the past three years.
The initiative, called Hope Squad, is a national program based in Provo, Utah, designed to empower students to support their peers in mental health and suicide prevention. The approach stems from the belief that students are often more comfortable discussing mental health challenges with friends rather than teachers or parents.
Community counselor Coulter Burch, who will help oversee the middle school program, aims to have it operational in the coming weeks. Staff will undergo training, and students will elect Hope Squad members among their peers. The curriculum will focus on recognizing signs of depression and fostering positive social behaviors.
“The earlier intervention begins, the greater the positive impact students can have on themselves and each other,” Burch said.
Building on Success at Aspen High School
Aspen High School (AHS) introduced the Hope Squad during the 2022-23 school year. Since its implementation, data from the Colorado Healthy Kids Survey indicates a significant improvement in student well-being. Between 2021 and 2023:
The percentage of AHS students who reported feeling sad or hopeless declined from 39.8% to 19.8%.
Those who seriously considered suicide dropped from 18.1% to 9.5%.
AHS Assistant Principal Becky Oliver credited two students who initially researched ways to improve teen mental health, leading to the program’s adoption. This year, 25 peer-elected students from grades nine through twelve are part of the squad.
Hope Squad members undergo specialized training in “QPR” (Question, Persuade, Refer) techniques. They learn how to engage with peers experiencing distress, encourage them to seek help, and guide them toward appropriate adult support.
Fostering Inclusivity and Reducing Stigma
Oliver emphasized the importance of diverse representation in the squad, ensuring that students from various backgrounds—including minority groups, LGBTQ+ students, and athletes—are involved.
“It needs to be kids that others see as approachable and safe to talk to,” Oliver said.
Hope Squad student board co-president Julia Diaz, an AHS senior, said their primary goal is to reinforce that seeking help is important while working to break down mental health stigma.
“I honestly think we’ve done a pretty good job of that,” Diaz said.
Her fellow co-president, Audrey Woodrow, noted that many students join the organization because they have personally experienced suicide-related situations, either directly or through friends.
“Being a teenager is hard, and people struggle in different ways. Having a space where students can talk to someone their own age is really important,” Woodrow said.
Expanding Support and Awareness
Hope Squad members meet twice a week to discuss ongoing initiatives, such as strategies to help students cope with the stress of the college application process. They also organize “Hope Week”, featuring guest speakers—including nutritionists and sports psychologists—who address different aspects of teen mental health.
“All of this is student-led,” Oliver said, adding that the program has fostered a more inclusive school culture where students recognize that “everyone is likely dealing with something.”
Funding for training, events, and program expansion is provided through Aspen’s tobacco tax, according to Oliver.
For those in distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which offers confidential, 24/7 support.
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