Teachers, Students Work To Eliminate Youth Suicide At B-R Schools

BRIDGEWATER, NJ ? A dedicated and passionate group of five educators are on a mission to promote"HOPE" at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

This solid team of Bridgewater-Raritan High School staff members are Social Studies Teachers Lori Kendis and Shannon Williams, Health and Physical Education Teacher Michele Kussmaul, Special Education Teacher Evan Rosenberg and Lauran Amisial, who is a Student Assistance Counselor.

They are the leaders of a group of 28 high school students who have been nominated by their peers to work toward a common goal ? eliminate youth suicide.

The five staff members and the 28 students comprise the HOPE Squad and they gathered all day for training sessions on Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, in the main conference room in the high school?s library.

Their purpose is to promote the mission of the HOPE Squad, a national organization that is headquartered in Provo, Utah.

According to the HOPE Squad website, the mission is to reduce youth suicide through education, training and peer intervention. This program is incorporated in over 1,200 schools across 35 states and Canada.

The website stated that HOPE Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. HOPE Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors.

Thus, welcome to Bridgewater-Raritan High School?s HOPE Squad.

The team was assembled after Jennifer Horne, the Supervisor of Special Services for the high school, alerted the staff about this crucial program.

"Jenn reached out and asked for volunteers over the summer," Ms. Kendis said.

These five staff members answered her call to serve as advisors, and as Ms. Kendis stated, "We
have worked real well together."

Having the proper students only helped.

"These students were nominated by their peers to take on this initiative," Mr. Rosenberg said. "The mission is to increase awareness on suicide prevention and mental health in general."

Ms. Kussmaul handed over the slide presentation during the training on this Monday to Ms. Kenis before she explained more of the team?s goals.

"We want to create a more cohesive environment here at Bridgewater-Raritan, where we want the kids to feel comfortable on spreading our word," Ms. Kussmaul said.

Ms. Kendis pointed out two areas of focus from the training sessions..

"Number one, this will have a positive impact on the teen suicide epidemic," she said. "Number
two, this is a big school community and this based element can help everyone."

Ms. Amisial is confident that the 28 students will move on from the training to become role
models.

"Having big unified training for these students will get them to where they will be an influence
for the whole school," Ms. Amisial explained. "They will create a climate when asking for help
is supported."

Now that the training is completed, next up will be periodic meetings between the advisors and the students during the course of the school year.

Ms. Kussmaul took time to thank Kettleman?s Bagels & Deli of Bridgewater for donating bagels
during both days of the sessions.

But the thanks should go to this team of five high school staffers who all share "HOPE."

? Submitted by Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District