Colorado students filed the most reports in Safe2Tell history in 2023-24

Last year, Colorado students reported more concerns about suicide, bullying, and problems with schools and family life than ever before.

Safe2Tell recorded 28,218 reports during the 2023-24 school year, the highest number in the anonymous reporting system’s history and a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year.

“Colorado students and communities have demonstrated unwavering vigilance, as evidenced by the substantial increase in Safe2Tell reports the program received this school year,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “It has never been more difficult to be young, and we must remain committed to the safety, mental health and well-being of our children.”

Students and others can contact Safe2Tell to make anonymous reports to school officials and local law enforcement. It is not an emergency response unit or a provider of mental health counseling services, although officials can refer students and families to support services.

In July, the end of the official school year, there were 738 reports, a 17.5 percent increase from June and a 50 percent increase from July 2023. The most common issues reported in July were suicide (130), cyberbullying (38), and welfare checks (36).

“This increase in reports reflects a collective commitment to creating a safer environment for all students,” said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins. “We look forward to building on this progress in the upcoming school year.”

Attorney General Targets Social Media

In July, Safe2Tell received information about a student harassing another student based on their appearance. School teams notified parents and will take disciplinary action, monitoring the situation when school resumes. Another report highlighted a student using drugs and pressuring others to do the same. School teams are aware and the dean and counselor will meet with the student when the fall semester begins.

In previous interviews, Weiser said social media is part of the reason for the rise in bullying, anxiety and depression among teens.

But he told CPR in November that what underlies the youth mental health crisis is a constellation of factors.

“It’s also clear that the pandemic has been very hard on young people and the state of our democracy, the rise in gun violence, the challenges around climate change, all of these things are making young people feel like the state of our world is not good and many of them are internalizing that… I think young people today are putting more pressure on themselves than I was putting on myself.”

Part of that pressure also comes from parents.

False reports

False reports accounted for 3.7 percent of all reports submitted to the program this year. These are reports that contain false information and are submitted with the intent to harm, hurt or intimidate another person. That number has been gradually increasing over the years.

To file a report, people can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, at any time. Reports can also be filed at Safe2Tell.org, by texting S2TCO to 738477 or through the Safe2Tell mobile app.