NEWTOWN, Conn. – When youth and adults learn to recognize the warning signs of potential violence and self-harm and work together with Trusted Adults to build positive school environments, tragedies like shootings and other harmful acts can be prevented. These simple — and vital — steps are proven to save lives.
This week, millions of U.S. students will be participating in Say Something Week (March 3-7), with trainings that reinforce what the warning signs are and how to get help, as well as a variety of activities designed to help kids connect and look out for one another. More than 1.1 million students from approximately 380 school districts, including some of the largest in the country, are registered to participate.
Say Something Week is an initiative developed by Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. Available at no cost to schools and youth organizations, the purpose of this annual call-to-action week is to celebrate the Trusted Adults and Upstanders that are working together to keep schools safe and supportive nationwide.
One of the central tenants of the Say Something program is the importance of being an Upstander – that is, a student or Trusted Adult that speaks out to make their community a safer place. Rather than being a bystander, an Upstander takes an active role in violence prevention. Student-led activities during Say Something Week will educate and equip young people with the tools necessary to become Upstanders.
“The importance of knowing the warning signs in violence prevention simply cannot be overstated. Research shows us that in 4 out of 5 school shootings, at least one person had some knowledge of an attack before it happened but either failed to report their concerns, didn’t understand what they had observed, or didn’t take it seriously enough to report. It is essential that we empower youth and adults to understand these signals so they can protect themselves and their peers from harm,” said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise.
“Students are the ones most impacted by school violence, and their voice is essential in every school safety effort. When educators give students the agency and voice they deserve through the Say Something program, it enables young people to help co-create more supportive learning environments for all,” Hockley added.
Two high school students from the Sandy Hook Promise National Youth Advisory Board (YAB), Angelo from Florida and Sarah from Connecticut, commented on what motivates them to engage their peers during Say Something Week.
“I personally just want to ensure that as many students as possible are aware of the sheer significance of saying something, and the impact that it does have. Violence is preventable if proper action is taken,” Angelo said.
Sarah said, “I, myself, have a Say Something story. A close friend was in a mental health crisis and was harming themselves. When they made a statement about ending their life, I immediately informed my mother, who then contacted my friend’s mother. The situation was handled and thank goodness they are alive and safe today, but this story could have had a tragic outcome if things weren’t taken seriously. That’s why I feel it is extremely important to get that message across to not only the youth but to the adults.”
“Also, I really enjoy doing the work I do. These are some of my favorite activities in my school,” Sarah added.
Multiple resources are available on-demand for those wishing to participate in Say Something Week. A full social media action kit including graphics, sample messages, selfie photo frames, and fun challenges are available on Sandy Hook Promise’s website. Planning guides for schools, as well as a special set of lessons and activities are also available for those who register for Say Something week online.
More than 31 million youth and adults have participated in Sandy Hook Promise’s Know the Signs violence prevention programs, which includes Say Something, since the organization’s founding in 2013. This has led to the prevention of at least 17 credible planned school shooting attacks, more than 700 youth suicides, and countless other acts of violence.
For more information on how you can bring violence prevention programs to your school or community, please visit SandyHookPromise.org.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
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Nick Dmitrovich | [email protected] | 203-304-9780 Ext. 279
