Hope Squad

Tough times never last but tough people do

Just as students, faculty and staff returned for oncampus instruction at the start of the fall, unimagined tragedy struck our community as a well-liked member of the Class of 2022 took his own life. The devastating loss of this young man was not the first time that a current student had passed away, and the tragedy deepened the need for a thoughtful response toward the mental well-being of our students.

According to the World Health Organization website, there has been a significant rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders over the last decade, and the number of individuals clinically diagnosed with depression and anxiety is at an alltime high.

The percentage of young Americans experiencing certain types of mental health disorders has also risen significantly over the past decade, according to research published in 2019 by the American Psychological Association. Around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition, with suicide the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. When our students are dealing with a mental health crisis, their ability to cope and respond impacts school and work performance, relationships with family and friends, and the ability to actively participate in the community. Jesuit students are called upon to model Christ’s love in all of our thoughts and actions, and one of the most unique and enriching aspects of the Jesuit experience is the lifelong brotherhood of our young men. Whether it’s through an established program like Big Brothers or the organic building of relationships, our students are taught to care for one another and to reflect that same love outward. The commitment to be more active in the awareness and education of those adversely impacted by mental health issues led to the creation of the Hope Squad at Jesuit Dallas.

“The student response to creating a Hope Squad chapter at Jesuit was overwhelming,” shared freshman counselor and Hope Squad advisor Corey Marr. “We committed to the program mid-year, which isn’t ideal, but our students were very engaged during a presentation we gave at a February prayer service. At the end of the service, students were asked to nominate up to three people whom they trust and who based on their personality and behavior, would make good candidates for the program. We were hoping for about 200 nominees, so it was a bit surprising when we ended up with 30 pages worth of names as nearly 800 students were nominated by at least one of their peers!”

“In getting the size of the Hope Squad to a manageable group, it became obvious those who could potentially serve as great peer-to-peer ambassadors because some individuals were receiving so many nominations. We sent a note to each of their families inviting them to consider

You are loved

If you believe it’ll work out, you’ll see opportunities.

You are not alone in this

Love your mind

the opportunity, and no one turned it down. Again, we were surprised and although we initially only considered having 12 Hope Squad members, we started this spring with an amazing group of 15.”

Raul Ornelas ’01, sophomore counselor and Hope Squad advisor, reiterated Marr’s enthusiasm. “I am proud to work alongside students who are eager to promote self-care and help students navigate conversations about helping others. The students involved in Hope Squad truly model the profile of a graduate and it has been rewarding to watch.”

The Hope Squad at Jesuit started with the basics: How to recognize behaviors and take initiative in talking with classmates. The group met approximately every three weeks during the semester, advancing through a curriculum manual while learning how to approach and respond to various situations. For one week at the end of April, Jesuit students hosted Hope Week with the goal of spreading awareness about the dangers of suicide and depression while helping to make the Hope Squad more recognizable on campus.

“For me, Hope Squad is extremely important,” said rising senior Sam Dunkerely. “I’ve known friends who have died by suicide, so to have this opportunity at Jesuit is fantastic. I feel like the effort to raise awareness and connect on a more personal level is going to help many kids and even adults really understand what’s going on with high school-aged students. Hope Squad gives us the opportunity to provide a place, a space, and a person to come to, to really talk and just be there for my classmates and my brothers. I’m just really grateful for that opportunity.”

What’s driving the increase in mental health disorders isn’t entirely clear although many have concluded that cultural trends in the last 10 years may have had a larger effect on mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes among younger generations compared with older generations. According to Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness, even before COVID-19, youth mental health has steadily been worsening.

The findings of a recent survey conducted by the Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association, also showed that Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012) “are most likely of all generations to report poor mental health and more likely to seek professional help for mental health issues.”

As to the source of their anxiety? According to respondents, it was largely the effects of world events: gun violence; social unrest; sexual harassment and assault; treatment of immigrants, especially separation of families and deportation; the economy and discouragement about having a secure financial future;

Everything that you are is enough

Change the world by being yourself

If we have the attitude that it’s going to be a great day it usually is.

racial discrimination; the political climate; and their general skepticism about the future of America.

The increase in digital media use has also been suspected to play a powerful contributing factor, both because of the nature of social media and also how it alters a young person’s sleep, but 55% of the Gen Z sub-group reported that social media was a primary source of support when they are distressed. They also indicated that it could be a source of distress, due to cyberbullying, so the impact of digital media use and social media in particular, appears to be complicated.

“I think the media has both a positive and negative impact,” continued Marr. “Social media has helped raise awareness and reduced the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and there are a lot of great resources online. That said, I sometimes think it is hard for young people to distinguish what is reliable and factual. There are so many competing messages out there and a nearly endless amount of content generators and influencers, some of which is not good. Additionally, between selfies, the sharing of microevents within the course of a day and feeling compelled to have an opinion on every topic, everything is so heightened.” Despite the increase in conversation and awareness, there is still an unmet need for mental health treatment among youth and adults across the globe. Students participating in a video for the Hope Squad shared, “We live in a world where you break a bone and everyone comes to sign your cast, but if you tell people you are depressed, they run in the other direction. The goal of the Hope Squad at Jesuit is to reduce the stigma of mental health, to serve as a resource for classmates, friends, and peers who are struggling with mental health, and to prevent suicide through education and awareness. We are here for you. As Jesuit brothers, let us stick together and be who we are meant to be, Men for Others.”