Fun fact: There are over 1,600 schools in the U.S. and Canada that have a Hope Squad, and North Atlanta is one of them! The NAHS Hope Squad is focused on spreading mental health and suicide prevention awareness around the school, supporting others, and providing a safe space for discussion. They recently attended their second annual Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk, an event designed to raise awareness and support for this major global issue. The NAHS team was one of many to participate in this hour-long walk around Piedmont Park. How did they represent our school?

     One of the main effects of this event was the display of the scale of mental health advocacy. The American Society for Suicide Prevention, which hosted the walk, has invested significant money and energy into reaching people all across the country. In fact, their Suicide Prevention Walks can include up to a quarter of a million people, revealing the true scope of this initiative. While North Atlanta was only a small part of the event, no support is too small for the AFSP. Co-president Piper Curnow agrees that the local, volunteer-led events are crucial for spreading awareness. “The walk is a great way to show people what community-based suicide prevention is,” she said.

     While the event was not hosted by the Hope Squad itself, it provided an opportunity for North Atlanta students to meet others in the community dedicated to suicide prevention advocacy. With participants ranging from friends and family of those who died by suicide to people who just want to raise awareness, the walk represented a diverse call to action in our community. As Hope Squads across the country are committed to creating a safe space for their peers, this walk exemplified the members’ passion and dedication to community. Senior Roddey Bird, co-president of the Hope Squad, appreciated that students outside of the Hope Squad joined in. “With an event so important to so many, every person counts,” she said.

     For their part, the NAHS Hope Squad is known for their school-wide activities like positive Post-It notes outside the cafeteria, but they are planning on implementing more events like the Suicide Prevention Walk. They hope to diversify their advocacy experiences on a broader scale, allowing NAHS students to engage in mental health and suicide awareness in more settings than the monthly club meetings. By doing so, the Hope Squad hopes to expand its inclusive, safe environment and foster friendship in the NAHS community. Curnow is excited about the upcoming activities. “We want people to know they can find supportive people on the Hope Squad,” she said.

     Whether by posting positive messages around the school or creating fun activities, the NAHS Hope Squad continues to be an active force in our school community, bringing us out of the darkness to encourage suicide prevention.