House Resolution 32

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND RECOGNIZING THE 14 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL HOPE SQUADS IN JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, WHICH FOSTER HUMAN CONNECTION, COMMUNITY, AND HOPE BY ELEVATING MENTAL WELL-BEING THROUGH PEER-TO-PEER SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING.

WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Jackson County, Mississippi, and the entire state in commending the middle and high school Hope Squad advisors and student members for their laudable work to ensure all seven public middle schools and seven public high schools follow the Hope Squad curriculum in creating a culture of inclusivity and kindness; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, teen suicide attempt survivor and national speaker, Emma Benoit, introduced Hope Squad to the Singing River Health Foundation and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, which had been collaboratively seeking communal initiatives to improve mental health awareness and access, especially in teenagers, since the 2022 suicide death of East Central eighth grader, Sawyer Magee, as an evidence-based curriculum guided by school advisors and led by students; and

  WHEREAS, the Superintendents from Jackson County's four school districts: Jackson County, Moss Point, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula-Gautier, along with a cadre of their counselors and educators, returned from their investigatory visit with Hope Squads at schools in the Florida Panhandle, accepting Singing River Health Foundation's offer to fund local Hope Squads, along with Chevron, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Mississippi Power, Merchants and Marine Bank, and Navigator Credit Union; and

WHEREAS, the 14 Hope Squads in Jackson County consist of 203 middle and high school students who were nominated by their peers for their kind, inclusive, and trustworthy reputations, and trained in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), the nationally recognized suicide prevention method and receive ongoing skill-building lessons; and

WHEREAS, the Hope Squads' peer-to-peer approach empowers the 203 members across Jackson County to intentionally reach out to peers and become instruments of change, also creating school-wide activities, such as Hope 'Grams, Hope Chains, Hope Trees, festival booths, Cultivating Calmness events and World Kindness Day recognition; and

WHEREAS, multiple research studies and articles indicate the significance of peer-to-peer methodology as a worthwhile approach to addressing documented increased levels of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness related to technology use and the impact of COVID-19 among teenagers; and

     WHEREAS, the K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force, composed of legislators, state officials, mental health and education professionals and one student, released an October 2024 report recommending the implementation of pilot peer-to-peer programs to help students deal with trauma and promote mental health wellness at the high school, community college, and university levels with appropriate oversight from personnel including administrators and mental health professionals; and

     WHEREAS, the Hope Squad program is a model that reflects strong community support from its nonprofit and private sector partners who support the students and their Hope Squad activities; and

     WHEREAS, the Hope Squads include four district coordinators, 14 school advisors, and 203 students, all passionate about mental health and well-being, from Colmer Middle School, East Central Middle School, East Central High School, Gautier Middle School, Gautier High School, Magnolia Middle School, Moss Point High School, Ocean Springs Middle School, Ocean Springs High School, Pascagoula High School, St. Martin Middle School, St. Martin High School, Vancleave Middle School and Vancleave High School; and

     WHEREAS, the Hope Squad program is an exemplary initiative that can serve as a model as the Legislature considers expanding peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs across the state:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commend and recognize the Singing River Health Foundation and the 14 Hope Squads in middle and high schools across Jackson County, Mississippi, their outstanding advisors, student members, and community partners for their work providing hopeful environments and encouraging healthy connections among themselves and across their communities.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to the Singing River Health Foundation Executive Director Laura Sessum and her colleagues and partners, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.