Safe2Tell reports decline over spring break while students face ongoing struggles
April 9, 2024 (DENVER) – After experiencing its highest reporting month in February, Safe2Tell received 2,562 reports in March 2024, marking a 21% decrease from the previous month. A decline is common during spring break; however, today’s released report highlights ongoing challenges faced by students, including instances of bullying and suicidal ideations.
“It has never been harder to be a young person than it is today. But I’ve seen some real glimmers of hope in the fight for youth mental health recently,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “I had the privilege of meeting with our incredible Safe2Tell student ambassadors who are truly making a difference in their schools and communities to support student well-being and share Safe2Tell resources. I also had the honor to recognize Stargate Charter School as our first Safe2Tell Gold Star school. They’re a shining example of how community collaboration can safeguard the well-being of our children.”
March 2024 saw the report volume for the 2023-2024 school year rise to 20,611, showing a more than 30% increase over the year before. School complaints (300), bullying (284), and suicide (266) were among the top categories of reports.
“This is the third month in a row that school complaints have been the top category, which follows a trend we are seeing nationally as well,” explained Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins.
In this school year, false reports are 3.7% of all reports submitted to Safe2Tell. 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 peer being bullied and harassed by a group of students, which was affecting their schoolwork and overall well-being. School teams spoke with the students engaged in the bullying, explaining how their actions are considered bullying behavior. School disciplinary action was taken, and the students’ parents were notified.
- A person reported a peer was self-harming, having suicidal ideations, and had written a note about their plans. Local teams conducted a welfare check and spoke with the student who confirmed they were having suicidal ideations. The student’s parents were notified, and the student was transported to their local hospital.
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 pursuant to 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.
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Media Contact:
Mallory Boyce
Communications Specialist
720-508-6787 (office) | 720-219-1898 (cell)
Mallory.Boyce@coag.gov