ChandlerUnified School District

CUSD has been working diligently with community partners to remove the lethal gap to keep students safe. Our partnership with The Hope Institute is the first school-based suicide treatment center of its kind. Anyone in the community (child, adolescent, teen, or adult) having thoughts of suicide can receive services within 48-hours and up to 3 times a week if needed. 

The Hope Institute provides short-term outpatient care for an average of 6 weeks- care is comprised of individual therapy sessions, small group skills sessions and brief family counseling. Individuals struggling with suicidal ideation can find support at The Hope Institute to reduce suicidal risk, increase hope, and obtain a referral to ongoing counseling as needed. 

All clinicians have suicide-specific treatment training which allows them to utilize a combination of two evidence-based, suicide-focused treatments, the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and group skills in Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). 

You can schedule an appointment by calling  (480) 770-1773 or by filling out this referral form. You can also email The Hope Institute,  Help.CUSD@thehopeinstitute.net.

For additional information about The Hope Institute, you can contact their Clinical Director, Kaitlyn Kirkham (kaitlyn.kirkham@thehopeinstitute.net) or CEO, Derek Lee (derek.lee@thehopeinstitute.net) and/or visit their website. 

The Hope Institute is located at the corner of Queen Creek and Val Vista off the student parking lot of Perry House (1845 E. Queen Creek Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85297).

You can learn more about The Hope Institute and CUSD's focus on student mental health by watching this Superintendent's Focus Video! 

Additional FAQs 

Letter from the Founders

FAQ about CAMS & DBT