Say Something

Say Something Creates Cultural Change That Leads To Safer Schools

Sandy Hook Promise’s no-cost Say Something program teaches middle and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.

The Say Something program aligns seamlessly with any school’s existing social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, instruction, and programming. Students build essential SEL competencies, including how to empathize with others and seek help when needed (relationship skills) and how to identify problems and analyze situations, as well as solve problems in an ethically-responsible manner (responsible decision-making).

This proven, life-saving program is available to schools and youth organizations nationwide at no cost.

Each year, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Say Something Week to celebrate the importance of Trusted Adults and Upstanders your community! Save the Date: March 4–8, 2024.

From an Educator

“Students are faced with so many issues today and often don’t have the resources they need to address them. If something is wrong, they usually know it first. We need to empower students to have their own voice. And that’s what programs like Say Something and Start With Hello do. They give students the resources they need. I believe that if you empower students they can change the world.”

La-Shanda West, Promise Leader and Educator, Florida, Cutler Bay High School

3 Steps of Say Something

Recognize The Signs

Learn about different types of warning signs or threats and how to spot them, especially on social media.

Act Immediately, Take it seriously

Understand strategies to take action and overcome potential barriers to being an “upstander” rather than a “bystander.”

Learn how to intervene by telling a trusted adult or using an anonymous reporting system.

Say Something Resources on the Learning Center

By knowing the signs and reporting possible threats of violence, entire communities become safer and lives are saved. Say Something resources include the core student training course for elementary school (grades 4 and 5) and middle/high school (grades 6-12), a Training Guide, and an Educator’s Guide. Find all these resources and more at Sandy Hook Promise’s Learning Center.

Learn about the observable warning signs that lead to gun violence

Say Something teaches the warning signs and behaviors that could lead to someone hurting themselves or others. It teaches individuals how to safely report these signals and potential threats and provides tools to help promote and reinforce the training.

Knowing The Signs Saves Lives

In a comprehensive Department of Homeland Security study of school shootings, they found 93% of school shooters planned the attack in advance.

Say Something Companion Courses

Prevent Suicide

The Second-Leading Cause Of Death For Teens

Prevent Suicide expands on the core Say Something program to teach the warnings signs and risk factors specific to suicide. Training and resources are tailored each for educators, parents, and students. Register on Sandy Hook Promise’s Learning Center and you’ll find Prevent Suicide under the Say Something program. You’ll also get access to our other Know the Signs trainings.

Being a Trusted Adult

Strengthen your skills to support students

Being A Trusted Adult is a new one-hour interactive workshop that deepens the Say Something program. It helps educators, parents, and community leaders better help students who speak up about seeing warning signs of self-harm, violence, and victimization. You’ll find Being A Trusted Adult under the Say Something program in our online Learning Center, along with access to our other trainings.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

Safely and anonymously surface potential threats before they happen

Available to select districts and state-wide partnerships, this tool builds on the core Say Something training with an anonymous reporting system through a mobile app, telephone hotline and website. Additional training for school district personnel and local law enforcement are required elements of this program.

Say Something

In four out of five school shootings, the attacker told people of their plans ahead of time.

Say Something Creates Cultural Change That Leads To Safer Schools

From an Educator