By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | March 31, 2026
Three community organizations have stepped up to support a new Montgomery school district peer-to-peer outreach program to help students who experience mental health issues such as depression or suicidal thoughts.
Jordan’s Relay Foundation ($20,000 over two years), The Mayors Wellness Campaign ($10,000), and the Montgomery - Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance and Youth Services Commission ($3,000) have contributed a total of $33,000. The grants will provide seed money for the student-led, adult-supported initiative to promote a culture of care among Montgomery High School (MHS), Upper Middle School (UMS), and Lower Middle School (LMS) students and foster crisis prevention.
Teacher-advisors will supervise specially nominated and trained students to listen with empathy and assist their peers who request mental health support by directing them to adult guidance.
The Montgomery School Board narrowly approved the peer-to-peer program — Hope Squad — in October 2025. Some board members expressed concerns with privacy issues, and that the program might place a lot of pressure on middle school and high school students who may feel responsible for their classmates’ mental health.
Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh has come out as a steadfast supporter of the program.
“The teenage years are a critical time and there is no substitute for human connection. This peer-to-peer mental health program checked all the boxes for a Mayors Wellness Campaign grant,” she said. “Hope Squad promotes open conversation among students, reducing the shame associated with mental health struggles and creates a culture of care, belonging, and safety for our community’s children. We want to address this identified need and strengthen our kids by providing support to our public school district.”
Authorized by Mayor Singh and the Montgomery Township Committee, the $10k grant helps to make the Hope Squad possible, according to the press release. The grant is funded through the NJ Health Care Quality Institute, which oversees all towns participating in the Mayors Wellness Campaign.
Montgomery school leaders thanked student advisors, their parents, and the dedicated teacher advisors at each school who will guide the program.
Cory Delgado, Director of Guidance and Wellness for the school district, expressed his enthusiasm for the program:
“Good schools take care of their students. Great schools build the capacity of their students to take care of each other. Students often feel more comfortable talking to a peer before an adult." - Cory Delgado
“While the adults in our schools are responsible for guiding the culture and modeling the behaviors, we are sometimes unaware and always outnumbered," Delgado said.
“To really move the needle, we must empower our students, and work with a preventative approach to keep all of them healthy and safe. We are very grateful for our partnerships with Mayor Singh, with [the Montgomery-Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance], and with Jordan’s Relay for supporting this important initiative.”
Montgomery High School Principal Heather Pino-Beattie also expressed support for Hope Squad and gratitude to the donors.
“Hope Squad represents the very best of what a school community can be… students lifting up students and creating a culture where no one feels alone.
“We know young people often recognize the struggles of their peers before adults do, which makes empowering students as connectors and upstanders not just meaningful, but essential.
“At Montgomery High School, we believe supporting student mental health requires a layered, community-wide approach, and Hope Squad is a vital part of that work. This program gives students the tools, confidence, and voice to care for one another in real and lasting ways.
“We are deeply grateful to our donors, whose generosity makes it possible to invest in our students not only as learners, but as compassionate leaders who strengthen the well-being of our entire community.”
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This winter the student populations at MHS, UMS, and LMS were polled to nominate fellow students they felt epitomized Hope Squad peer advisor models, such as being trustworthy and possessing good listening skills.
Once peers were nominated by students, then counselors, administrators, and teachers reviewed the nominations and selected finalists they felt were the most suitable candidates to be invited to become Hope Squad members.
Sessions for the families of nominated students were held at MHS, UMS, and LMS in February. Parents must give permission for their child to participate.
Pparent-student launch meetings provided the peer leaders and their families with details about the program so that informed decisions about participation can be made.
The response so far has been strong, according to the Montgomery Township press release. Those who step forward with parent permission are slated to begin their training in mental health awareness and peer support skills this Spring.
Hope Squad members will learn how to care for their own mental health, recognize signs that a peer may be struggling, and respond with compassion.
The program follows the HOPE approach: “Heads up” to notice when someone may need help, “Offer support,” “Provide information” about available resources, and “Empower” peers to stay connected and seek help when needed.
Learn more at https://www.hopesquad.com/.
