Attorney General Josh Shapiro released a special report last week on student mental health from data and tips received through “Safe2Say Something PA.”

Safe2Say is Pennsylvania’s anonymous reporting system for schools, students and community members. It has received more than 80,000 tips from students across the state since it launched in 2019. Of those total Safe2Say tips received, 72.9% have focused on instances of bullying, suicide and self-harm, mental illness, or discrimination and harassment.

“This is unique data, driven solely by students, and it is supported by extensive research that shows there is a mental health crisis affecting Pennsylvania children and teens,” Shapiro said. “As a commonwealth, we need to do more to support students, as well as the parents who are trying to help guide their kids through these challenges. Schools and teachers can’t do it alone. They need extra support from professionals who are trained for this work.”

The Office of Attorney General established the Safe2Say Something reporting system as a way to mitigate school-based violence and school shootings following the introduction of bipartisan legislation by Sen. Pat Browne and Sen. Vince Hughes. The anonymous reporting system went online on Jan. 14, 2019.

Northern Lehigh School District has received a total of 22 Safe2Say tips this year. The tips varied from bullying to self harm.

“Each of the tips were handled accordingly by our staff and addressed in a timely manner,” Frank Gnas, district safety and security coordinator, said. “The Safe2Say Something team at Northern Lehigh is a very experienced and knowledgeable group of personnel who act in good faith for the anonymous tipster. Students that utilize the program have found it effective and understand that they remain anonymous throughout each investigation. Each tip received has been followed up and investigated. Overall, the students at Northern Lehigh are aware and trained regarding the Safe2Say Something program. When they feel that it is necessary to submit a tip, they can be assured it will be investigated.”

Panther Valley School District Superintendent Dave McAndrew Jr. said the program has also been working well there.

“It is a great tool for our students,” McAndrew said. “It gives students the ability to reach out for help and assistance at anytime. It also allows them the opportunity to help others if they may be in a dangerous situation. Panther Valley definitely sees this program as a benefit for our kids.”

The special report, which can be accessed at https://bit.ly/37maZjw, is a compilation of new data from the program, additional state-level data, and national research on student mental health.

Data in the 2020-21 school year shows that 20.3% of all Safe2Say comments were designated “life safety” matters, an increase from 15.7% in the 2019-20 school year.

Of comments related to mental health that were received by Safe2Say, the top categories in 2020-21 school year were:

• Bullying and cyberbullying (32%)

• Suicidal thoughts (30%)

• Cutting and self-harm (20%)

• Depression and anxiety (12%)

• Anger issues (2%)

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that 1 in 6 students may experience a diagnosable mental health disorder. While the National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of one school psychologist for every 500 students, in Pennsylvania, there is one school psychologist for every 1,078 students.

Shapiro said he has called for increasing the number of mental health counselors in schools every year since Safe2Say launched in 2019.

“I look forward to working with lawmakers and the governor’s office to answer the call from these students by establishing sustained, broad support to place mental health counselors in every Pennsylvania school, with a focus on early intervention and preventive care,” he said. “Hiring more counselors to serve our children will provide needed support for students and improve both school safety and educational outcomes.”