Safe2Say Something Program
Each year in schools and communities across the United States, there are millions of youth who hurt themselves or others through verbal, physical and digital means. These behaviors can cause youth to experience emotional trauma and physical injury, mental health or wellness issues, stress or anxiety, and/or feelings of being unsafe. Too often the outcome results in self-harm, suicide.
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
See it. Report it
Submit a tip without being named. We’ll make sure the right people know. That’s it.
The Facts
In a majority of these acts, youth and adults are witnesses to threats, warning signs, or signals, especially on social media, but do not report or intervene to help the at-risk youth. In fact:
- Approximately, 1 million U.S. students reported being harassed, threatened or subject to other forms of cyberbullying
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80% of school shooters told someone of their violent plans. 59% told more than one person
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A national study found that 37% of threats of violence, bullying, etc. were sent electronically and 28% used social media
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70% of people who complete suicide tell
someone of their plans or give some other warning sign
The Reasons
There are many reasons why youth and adults do not say something when they see a warning sign or signal. They do not:
- Understand or know how to recognize warning signs and signals of at-risk behavior
- Believe a threat to be true because "they would never say it publicly if they meant it"
- Want to be labeled, stigmatized, possibly physically threatened as a "snitch"
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Know who to tell or "believe that nothing will be done to help anyhow"
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Think they need to because someone else will say something
As a school system, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students and staff. To do this, we believe this must involve community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health & wellness professionals and elected officials to take meaningful action to protect our students.
School level presentations were presented at CFPMS and UHS the week of January 14 to correspond with the launch of S2SS. The S2SS program is an extension of the Say Something Program through Sandy Hook Promise which was introduced to our students back in October.
Get the Facts:
The Office of the Attorney General is in partnership with the Sandy Hook Promise.
Sandy Hook Promise is a national non-profit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
The UCF School District Administration and Board along with the Wellness Council have approved the implementation of the Say Something Program starting in the 18-19 school year.
For additional information please visit - Say Something program and the Sandy Hook Promise