(Shenandoah) – A Shenandoah high school student was walking outside the building on a Friday afternoon for another reason.
Students and instructors covered over a mile in about 30 minutes on the school’s first “Hope Walk.” The event, sponsored by the high school’s Hope team, highlighted suicide prevention and mental health. Shenandoah High Principal Ty Ratriff, high school counselor Bailey Campin and risky interventionist Natalie Denton feature peer-to-peer counseling designed to stem the trend of young people’s suicide. Camping said KMA News’ suicide is a problem both nationally and locally.
“Suicide is one of the leading causes of teenage deaths,” Campin said. “So I think that’s a big deal at all schools. Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer mentoring system, so when you’re struggling with bullying or mental health issues, they’re likely to go to peers.
Thirteen SHS students were hired as peer counselors and trained through the national program curriculum. Denton says Hope Squad is already making a difference at school.
“Whenever students make comments or gestures, we meet them,” Denton said. “We’ve had some reviews this year, and I think it’s more because our peers are reporting. Previously, students didn’t want to talk to each other, but now they’re encouraged.
In addition to emphasizing mental wellness, Denton believes this walk has helped bring students together for an important cause.
“I think it was a unified process,” Denton said. “When we walked together, I think they were with each other. We may not spend that much time with other peers. It was a big unified walk. I liked it. I think we should do it more often.”
Despite the controlled detours of burns in the ditch along Anna Kroos, Campin was proud that most students had gone far.
“My watch says 1/2 mile,” Campin said. “Around 30 minutes, this is pretty good, and honestly, I would like to thank all the kids for their community and respect.
Still in the first year of SHS Hope Squad, high school staff hopes to sponsor the entire future week, similar to those held by other Kmaland district programs.
