Bullying tops suicide for first time on SafeUT app tips

Photo supplied, SafeUT
SafeUT provides real-time crisis intervention for students, parents/guardians and educators through live chat and a confidential tip line.For the first time ever, bullying was the highest reported tip to SafeUT, pushing suicide tips out of the lead and into second place.
According to the 2024 fiscal year SafeUT report, tips regarding bullying were submitted 3.5% more than suicide-related tips. Bullying tips included harassment in classrooms, hallways or on playgrounds and cyberbullying.
“Whether someone is struggling with bullying, has concerns about a threat they saw on social media or is dealing with thoughts of suicide, SafeUT counselors are there day and night to offer compassionate support and immediately respond to any safety concerns,” said Rachel Kay Lucynski, director of community crisis intervention and support services at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “We’re grateful to partner with school districts and higher education institutions, public safety personnel, parents, legislators and so many others that have helped SafeUT make a positive impact.”
SafeUT is an app that can be downloaded on any smartphone, or reached by calling 833-372-3388. SafeUT, which partners with University of Utah Health, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Utah Department of Health and Human Services and many other organizations, was created in 2015 to address the mental health crisis and school safety threats across the state. SafeUT is a crisis chat and tip line providing real-time crisis intervention for educators, students, parents and guardians.
There are three apps available to download: SafeUT, SafeUT National Guard and SafeUT Frontline. SafeUT National Guard is for Utah Air and Army National Guard members, their families and civilian members, while SafeUT Frontline is for law enforcement, fire and EMS workers, correction officers and their families
The apps offer the public a way to connect immediately and confidentially with licensed mental health counselors seven days a week, 24 hours a day with no cost.
According to the report, SafeUT experienced 8,985 tips submitted from kindergarten through 12th grade and high educational institutes. Broken down, 2,296 tips were regarding bullying, 1,999 were suicide tips and 870 were substance use tips.
In addition, there were 758 tips regarding potential school/campus threats or acts of violence, including 456 tips about violence, 152 about weapons and 150 school/campus threats.
The SafeUT Frontline app received 368 chats with 48% coming from health care professionals, 33% from law enforcement, 10% from correction officers and 9% from fire/EMS.
SafeUT National Guard’s app received 189 chats and 499 emergency interventions were initiated from SafeUT users actively attempting or at imminent risk of harm or intending to harm themselves or others.
“SafeUT provides the instant, confidential crisis counseling that gives people in need a fighting chance to survive their darkest moment,” SafeUT Commission Chair and Utah Attorney General Chief of Staff Ric Cantrell said in the annual report. “Hundreds of Utahns are alive today because of SafeUT — almost 500 in the last year alone. You probably know some of them.”
Suicide is still a problem in Utah, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The latest statistics reported 696 suicides in 2023, making it the second leading cause of death for Utahns ages 10-17, 18-24 and 25-44. Those seeking help can call the suicide hotline at 988.