Colorado students look out for each other during summer months

July 9, 2024 (DENVER) – Last month, Colorado students turned to Safe2Tell to seek help for their peers on issues ranging from suicide to eating disorders. The monthly report released today reveals that the program received 628 reports in June 2024, a 79% decrease from May. This decline is typical during the summer months.

“Safe2Tell continues to be a vital resource for students in Colorado, providing a confidential way to report concerns about their peers and get them connected to the help they need,” remarked Attorney General Phil Weiser. “We remain committed to supporting our youth and ensuring they have the tools they need to help one another.”

Despite the seasonal drop, the report highlights a significant increase in the annual report volume. For the 2023-2024 school year, Safe2Tell received 27,480 reports by the end of June, marking a 25% rise from the same period last year. The most common issues reported in June were suicide (108), drugs (40), and child abuse (39).

“The increase in reports during the 2023-2024 school year demonstrates the program’s impact and the growing awareness among students. More students feel empowered to speak up than ever before when they have a safety concern about themselves or someone else,” explained Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins.

False reports make up 3.9% of all reports submitted to the program this year. False reports are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

Anonymous reports to Safe2Tell from students and other individuals successfully helped protect students’ safety this past month:

  • A person reported a student threatening suicide. Authorities conducted a welfare check and spoke with the student who confirmed having suicidal ideations and a plan to take their life. Authorities contacted the student’s parents, transferred the student to the hospital, and the student was admitted for treatment.
  • A person reported concerns about a peer who looked sick and was not eating. The SRO conducted a welfare check and spoke with the student and their parents who were aware of the eating disorder. The student is safe and is seeing a therapist.

Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own, and others’, safety. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit nor mental health counseling service provider; it is an information pathway for distributing anonymous reports to local law enforcement and school officials required by state law.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, at any time. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org, by texting S2TCO to 738477, or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play

###

Media Contact:
Mallory Boyce
Communications Specialist
720-508-6787 (office) | 720-219-1898 (cell)
Mallory.Boyce@coag.gov