At Pahrump Valley High School, a group of compassionate, dedicated students is quietly changing the atmosphere on campus—creating a space where mental health matters and no one feels alone. The student-led organization, Hope Squad, is focused on peer-to-peer suicide prevention and mental health awareness, and while the program only formally launched at PVHS toward the end of the 2023–2024 school year, its impact has already been significant.
Sophomore Emery Miller-Rocha, one of the founding members, has been involved from the very beginning. As the sophomore representative, Emery plays a leadership role in the class, though he’s quick to point out that all members contribute equally to the team’s efforts. With 26 students currently in Hope Squad, ranging from freshmen to seniors, this in-school elective has become an essential part of student life at PVHS. According to Hope Squad advisor and classroom teacher Candice Mitchell, the group is fairly balanced in gender, with slightly more girls, but maintains diverse representation across grade levels.
The program is supported by a trio of committed advisors: Mitchell, School Nurse Pam Petersen, and former Campus Monitor Devin Petersen, who now works at Rosemary Clarke Middle School. Each brings a unique background and perspective to the team, helping guide students through the important and sensitive work of supporting their peers.
What makes Hope Squad unique is its student-led model. Members like Emery are trained to recognize warning signs, offer support, and, when necessary, guide their peers to trusted adults. At the beginning of each school year, members complete training in QPR—Question, Persuade, Refer—a nationally recognized suicide prevention program. This teaches students to ask open-ended questions, offer a listening ear, and when needed, refer classmates to trained professionals like Ms. Mitchell or Ms. Harker. Sometimes, it’s a peer who approaches a Hope Squad member for support. Other times, members notice subtle signs—like someone repeatedly sitting alone at lunch—and make the first move to connect.
That desire to connect inspired one of this year’s most meaningful events: a tailgate party created specifically for students who seemed less socially engaged. The event drew in new and existing students alike, and Emery recalled how two newcomers to the school found real friendships during that event. It’s these intentional, inclusive efforts that help shift the school climate from isolation to connection.
For Emery, Hope Squad is more than just a club—it’s part of his identity. “Mental health and suicide prevention awareness are two very big topics in my life,” he said, adding that Ms. Mitchell has encouraged him to consider a future career in the mental health field. His commitment and leadership were recognized on a national scale this year when Emery was selected to join the Hope Squad National Council. Composed of just 45 students from across the country, the council meets via Zoom to collaborate, share ideas, and expand Hope Squad’s mission. Emery recently attended his first meeting and looks forward to bringing back creative ideas for new initiatives that can benefit both PVHS and the broader Pahrump community. He hopes next year’s work will focus even more on community outreach because, as he puts it, “Mental health isn’t just a school thing.”
Hope Squad’s presence is felt campus-wide through monthly themes and events that align with mental wellness and emotional support. Each month, students explore and practice different topics in class and then bring those lessons to life through school-wide events designed to build unity and increase awareness. The goal is not just to help individuals but to create an overall culture of care, understanding, and support.
That culture is paying off. According to data tracked by Mitchell, Hope Squad members have made 15 referrals for suicide assessments this school year—averaging about two per month. Each of these interventions reflects a student noticing something, saying something, and taking action. “It’s effective, it’s working,” Mitchell said. And sometimes, those students who are referred come back and express their gratitude. Emery acknowledged that it’s powerful when that happens, saying it feels like what they’re doing is making a real, life-changing difference.
As the program continues to grow, Hope Squad remains committed to its founding mission: giving students a voice in mental health advocacy and the tools to support one another. The positive atmosphere it fosters not only helps individuals but also helps redefine what it means to be a student leader—one rooted in empathy, courage, and connection. For Emery and his fellow Hope Squad members, the work is just beginning, but the impact is already echoing throughout the halls of Pahrump Valley High School.
