JENNINGS COUNTY — At Jennings County High School, the mental illness outbreak among teenagers has been recognized by the school starting the “Hope Squad.”
The group was started to give students trained people in their age group to talk to if they are struggling with their mental health.
The group had its members selected by having each class select three people who they would be open to talking to about their problems, and the students with the most votes got selected. These members meet every Thursday during their homeroom time with their sponsors to discuss new techniques to use to help other students.
Freshman Lucy Craft is a member of Hope Squad and she said it is an honor to be a part of it. She said she loves being part of it because she feels as though it is making a huge difference in the school and that her favorite part of it is helping kids her age with their problems.
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Sophomore John Troupe said that he thinks the Hope Squad is a great thing to have in our school. He said that it is a great resource for students who are struggling to reach out and get help instead of taking matters into their own hands and making a decision they could later regret.
The members of the Hope Squad each have a picture of a lifesaver hanging on their lockers with their name and information written on it so students know who they can go to if they need to reach out to someone for help.
The Chill Room in school is the official meeting place for the Hope Squad and it also has a picture of a lifesaver hanging on the door with “There is Hope” written on it.
