Hope Week at Fallsburg Junior-Senior High School, a student-led mental health awareness campaign organized through the school’s Hope Squad, began Monday with an assembly bringing together law enforcement officers, mental health professionals and county officials.

The panel included members of the New York State Police, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Fallsburg and Monticello police departments, Hope Alive 845, Sullivan 180, the New York State Office of Mental Health and Sullivan County Legislator Amanda Ward. Students heard directly from responders and advocates about crisis intervention, missing persons cases, available resources and the role mental health plays in their daily work.

Deputy Sheriff Rory Meyer of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office told students that mental health-related calls make up a significant portion of law enforcement activity.

“I would put it around 50 to 75 percent of the people we deal with have some kind of mental health crisis going on,” Meyer said.

Other officers echoed that assessment, with some estimating that 80 percent or more of their daily interactions involve individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, substance use or other mental health challenges.

Meyer also described responding last fall to a woman in distress near a Route 17 overpass in Monticello. Officers worked to de-escalate the situation and contacted a crisis negotiation team before safely transporting the woman for treatment.

Speakers emphasized that police involvement in mental health calls does not automatically mean someone is under arrest. In many cases, they said, officers serve as a stabilizing presence and connect individuals with appropriate services.

Representatives from the New York State Office of Mental Health outlined how students can access 988, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service can be called, texted or accessed online and connects individuals directly with trained counselors. Unlike 911, the line is designed specifically for mental health support and does not automatically dispatch law enforcement unless necessary.

Amanda Ward discussed county-level initiatives addressing mental health and substance use, including the United Sullivan partnership, which she described as a collaboration of more than 100 agencies across Sullivan County. She also referenced the development of a 47-bed inpatient detox and stabilization program at Garnet Health and the expansion of Oxford House sober living residences.

“Being unhoused during this time of the year is diabolical,” Ward said, referencing winter conditions and housing instability. She added that the county legislature has committed $2 million toward expanding housing options for residents seeking stability.

Domingo Ramos of Hope Alive 845 spoke about missing youth and adults in Sullivan County, explaining that his organization works closely with families and law enforcement to locate individuals who have run away or are reported missing. He said most youth cases involve runaways and emphasized the importance of communication and early intervention.

Hope Squad advisors Kristen Meyer and Rachel Artale said the student-nominated group meets regularly and is trained to recognize warning signs among peers and connect students with trusted adults when needed. Activities throughout the week include themed participation days and outreach during lunch periods.

Hope Squad member Marilyn Santos, a senior, said the program has helped strengthen connections among students.

“So far, just advocating for everybody — knowing it’s okay to say that it’s not okay,” Santos said.

Santos said members are trained to listen and assess situations, understanding when a concern should be elevated to an adult.

“Obviously, we’re not a counselor,” she said. “We’re just helping them and guiding them.”

She said the goal is to approach classmates in a way that feels supportive rather than confrontational, encouraging them to open up and seek help when needed.

Organizers said the purpose of Hope Week is to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and ensure students understand that resources exist both inside and outside the school building.

As the week progressed, Hope Squad advisors said student participation remained strong.

“I believe as we near the end of our first Hope Week, the students have received it well,” Hope Squad advisor Kristen Meyer said. “They were interested and engaged in the assemblies. We saw great participation in our grade-level Hope Chains—the grade with the longest chain of positive messages wins a prize—and the Find Your Hope Squad game. They have been enjoying the resources we have been providing at lunch and during study halls and have already been asking what we’re doing next year.”