Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10-24. According to the Florida Department of Vital Statistics, suicide was the third leading cause of death for individuals ages 5 to 14 in 2020.
Northwest Florida, from Walton to Escambia Counties, combined in 2018-2020, falls in the top five in youth suicides per 100,000 population for the State of Florida. It is time for our communities to come together on this topic and be aware of the challenges we face in keeping our kids safe.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a statewide school-based survey of Florida’s public high school students, showed that 39.3% of high school students felt sad or hopeless. 17.7% seriously considered attempting suicide, 13.8% made a suicide plan and 8.9% attempted suicide.
Fortunately, there’s the Hope Squad, part of United for a Good Cause, a local 501(c) (3) charitable organization. United for a Good Cause is the lead entity that helps secure funding for and implements Hope Squad in our region’s schools.
In 2019 after seeing the concerning statistics for our region, United for a Good Cause, Inc. took on the task of raising the money to bring the Hope Squad program to this region. Thanks to many area businesses like Eglin Federal Credit Union, United Way Emerald Coast, Okaloosa Cares Grant, Bit-Wizards, Emerald Coast Harley Davidson, and organizations like Impact 100, Sunday’s Child, 100 Women Who Care, Niceville Strong, The Tatissa Foundation and numerous smaller donors, funding has been made possible to start a Hope Squad program in most elementary and secondary schools in Okaloosa and Walton School Districts and others over the next year.
According to United for a Good Cause, Inc. Executive Director Peggy Brockman, “We have 18 schools that currently have their Hope Squad program in various stages of implementation. Fifteen of those are in Okaloosa County School District, one in Santa Rosa and two in Escambia County. Others will be onboarding their programs over the next year. We still have a long way to go, but we are moving forward in spite of a global pandemic slowing the process. Students are finding hope again and are learning that it is ok to speak up and seek help. 75% of young people will tell a peer before harming themselves but will not go to an adult. That is why the peer-to-peer program is so successful across the country.”
Recently, four regional “Community Conversation” meetings regarding the mental health of our youth were held—locally at Choctawhatchee and Crestview High Schools and Pensacola State College Milton and Pensacola Campuses.
Dr. Greg A. Hudnall, founder and Executive Director of HOPE4UTAH and creator of the Hope Squad peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, led the conversations. He has championed suicide prevention in schools and communities for more than 20 years. His expertise is not only sought after locally, but also nationally and internationally at the highest levels of government.
In addition, the seventh annual Youth Leadership Conference took place at Niceville High School on March 5th and encouraged area 7th-12th grade students in public, private or homeschools to attend. It specifically was designed to help these students cultivate leadership skills, empower them with tools and resources, and inspire them to live and model civic action in the community while helping them discover their purpose and potential. The conference brought together students and youth from throughout the region that are interested in leadership—a great number already actively participating within the Hope Squad Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Program.
For more information, contact our Executive Director, Peggy Brockman at (850) 259-8356 or e-mail: u4agchs@gmail.com. And please visit unitedforagoodcause.org, hopesquad.com or Facebook at United for A Good Cause, Inc.
