Utahns have gone back to school and while many kids — and adults — enjoy the return to routine and to learning, others struggle with their mental health.
The Centers for Disease Control issued a report in 2023 that found that emergency room visits for behavioral and mental health conditions in kids ages 5-17 doubled as each school semester begins. In Utah, SafeUT sees a spike in contacts from both students and parents.
Just last year, according to SafeUT, nearly 9,000 tips were submitted, with nearly 2,300 tips submitted about bullying, 2,000 on suicide and 758 on potential school threats.
I had not realized that SafeUT took tips on bullying and had an opportunity to ask one of the original sponsors of the bill that created the program, Rep. Steve Eliason, to tell me more. He said when he and Sen. Dan Thatcher sponsored the bill nearly a decade ago, it was in response to the Columbine shootings, with the thought that students and teachers could report potential school threats. However, what really took off was students seeking crisis intervention, either for themselves or for their friends.
Every school district and every charter school in the state has opted in to using the SafeUT program, Eliason told me, as well as universities. Parents, guardians, teachers and students can download the app or use the website to submit tips and have access to licensed counselors around the clock.
Additional resources
Rep. Eliason shared that every school district has a youth protection seminar offered to their district. These seminars are usually held in the evening and are meant to be a way for parents to learn about what risks students are facing, what resources are out there and how to talk to kids about these issues. Many times, these meetings are available to join virtually or in person. Some districts also have past youth protection seminars recorded so parents can go back and listen to segments.
Almost all of Utah’s school districts and many charter schools are doing free mental health screenings with written parental consent. If the screener indicates there is an issue, then they have professionals there, both from the school and from the community.
There is a page on suicide prevention on the Utah State Board of Education website with the following information: “Youth suicide is a serious public health issue in Utah, with the state consistently ranking in the top ten of the nation with the most significant mental health concerns. According to the 2023 Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) survey, 17.6% of youth seriously considered attempting suicide and 42.7% of youth who felt sad, hopeless, or suicidal did not talk to anyone about it. Youth are resilient and can overcome mental health struggles with the right support, treatment, and resources.”
One new resource is a youth crisis care center. This is at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah. You can bring a child there any time, day or night. Children in crisis can be assessed, and if they need additional services, the center will help families chart out a plan to help them
Also, Intermountain Children’s Health is opening a new Behavioral Health Center in Taylorsville to expand mental health services to families in Utah this week. In 2024, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital behavioral health programs helped more than 10,000 kids. They’re expected to help even more this year.
Additionally, the statewide Assessment, Referral, Consultation Service (ARCS) service line connects families to behavioral health resources or an appointment at 385-478-2400 and the Stabilization and Mobile Response program sends a professional to your home to help a child or teen. It’s available by dialing 988 or using the SafeUT app.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we can all do our part to help prevent another death. Help is available.