BUF-SEJC Special Collection, June 2021: Whatcom Family and Community Network/MAD-HOPE

 

“MAD HOPE provides much needed exposure to the issue of youth suicide and engages youth in meaningful discussions.  They provide essential resources all from a place of care and compassion.  I highly recommend the program for Middle School and High School youth? – Kelly Giles, Shuksan MS staff.

 

Last week’s article on the subject focused on Whatcom Community and Family Network (WCFN) and its role in mobilizing and supporting area organizations concerned with family and children’s welfare in building their capabilities.  The WCFN’s mission is to envision a thriving community.  In this context WCFN’s MAD HOPE program was introduced.  This week we review the details of this program. 

 

(Making a Difference—Helping Other People Everywhere) Youth Suicide Prevention program (MAD HOPE) is a unique peer-to-peer training that reduces stigma around mental health issues and suicide.  Suicide is a major public health concern among youth (age 15-24 years).  The MAD HOPE program educates youth (typically in middle schools and high schools) to recognize warning signs and risk factors among their peers, and identify protective factors that can prevent suicide from happening.  The program teaches practical skills in providing peer support for youth contemplating suicide.  It aims to increase awareness of the power youth have to save lives through connection with one another and to identify caring adults to go to for resources and support.   

 

The reasoning behind this approach is that the students are close to each other, they see and listen to what their peers are saying and feeling and, therefore, that they are the best source to detect any signs of despair, and suicidal thoughts.  Consequently, they need to know how to identify the needs, risk factors, and signs of suicidal behaviors or intentions; how to identify and access support and resources to get through hard times; to know how to break the stigma of mental health, how to open the conversation with a friend using empathy, and connect them with a trusted adult and other mental health resources.  With this approach, the authorities’ concern turns into hope for their students’ mental health and wellness.  They are able to identify students who are struggling with despair and hopelessness, and their peers and volunteers who received the training would intervene and help prevent suicide, and save lives.

 

Please support this program by contributing funds toward purchase of training materials and for audio visuals for presentations, to train the trainers and volunteers to reach out to the vulnerable students.  More details, website: https://madhope.org

 

~In peace, Sita Amba-Rao, BUF-SEJC