Resources for Enrolled Schools
Educators
School Enrollment
If you are a school leader, please email SafeUT@hsc.utah.edu for information about enrollment.
If you are a parent, please contact your school’s leaders (principal, vice principal, or other) about your interest in being enrolled with SafeUT.
Educator FAQ's
Why don't I see my school in the SafeUT app?
Schools must be enrolled in order for the school to appear on the SafeUT app.
I am a school leader (principal, vice principal, other). If my school enrolls, what is my responsibility?
As a school leader, you will be responsible for supporting actions that may help promote the safety and well-being of your students, depending on the tips your SafeUT contacts receive. If you place yourself as a contact, your responsibility will be to review batched tips during school hours and determine the appropriate action. You will also be a point of contact for any additional information SafeUT may need.
How many SafeUT contacts should sign up for my school?
We recommend at least three SafeUT contacts per school.
What are tips?
Tips are concerns that students communicate via the app such as bullying, concern for another student, and the like. These are initially received by SafeUT staff who evaluate if immediate assistance is needed and then forward them to the school’s dashboard.
If I am a school contact, am I going to receive tips at all hours of the night? What about when my school is on break?
The SafeUT team reviews every tip that is submitted by a student, 24/7, before it is sent to a school contact. We check to see if the tip contain issues needing immediate attention, such as suicide, planned school attacks, and more. If we have deemed the situation in need of immediate attention, the SafeUT team will reach out to the emergency contact for the school, possibly involve local police for a welfare check, and the student’s family if information is available.
Before reaching out, we will gather as much information as possible about the student. We may contact someone from your school to try and obtain additional information. We will also alert your school contacts in real time of the tip and of the actions we are taking, for information purposes.
If the tip does not need immediate attention, it will be batched and delivered to your school contacts on the next school day, via the dashboard. The State Board of Education has provided dates for overarching school breaks. If your school has breaks that differ from the State Board of Education dates, please let SafeUT know so we can incorporate them into our system.
Parents
What is SafeUT?
SafeUT is an app that provides two-way communication with a licensed SafeUT staff member as well as a school tip line. Through the app, you can chat with or call a SafeUT counselor. If you are a student/parent/educator, you can submit a tip to your school about a concern for a friend, a school safety issue, or other related topics.
Why SafeUT?
SafeUT is an easy, accessible, and active way to help your students. You are giving them a tool they can use on their own, allowing them to take action in their own life and the life of a friend.
How can I support my child with SafeUT?
Encourage your child to talk about their emotions and let them know that the app is available to support them. Listen to their concerns about school issues. If your child feels anyone’s safety or mental well-being is threatened, suggest using the app to submit a tip.
As a parent, can I use SafeUT?
Absolutely. On the SafeUT app, you can set your status to “Parent” and you can chat with one of our SafeUT counselors as well as submit a tip to your child’s school.
Students
How do I download the SafeUT app?
The SafeUT App is available for both Apple and Android devices. Simply search “SafeUT” in your smartphone’s app store and download the app. You will be required to accept terms and permissions (something all apps ask you to do). You will also create a passcode once the app is downloaded.
Who should use the chat feature?
Anyone who feels like they are in crisis, overwhelmed, have an upsetting problem they need to talk through, or may be thinking about hurting themselves/hurting others/suicide should use the chat feature. People of all ages across the state of Utah are encouraged to use it when they need it.
What are common issues counselors support SafeUT users with?
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Abuse
- Self-harm
- Drug and alcohol problems
- Relationship issues
- Family
- School
- Money
- Work
- Thoughts of suicide
- More
Who responds to messages?
In the “Crisis Chat” feature, full-time staff respond to all messages received. Staff are caring, licensed therapists who specialize in supportive listening, problem solving, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention.
School Tips through the “Submit A Tip” feature are screened for emergency content and forwarded to selected schools for school personnel to address directly using school protocols.
Is my conversation confidential and secure?
The SafeUT app is protected by a password that you create. This password ensures your privacy. Our counselors will only have information you choose to share with them. If you do choose to share identifying information and unable to stay safe, our counselors may get additional help to keep you safe.
Will it cost money to use the chat line/tip line?
SafeUT is free. Standard data usage rates may apply while using the app.
Additional Resources
Suicide Prevention Resources
The Download on SafeUT
L.E.T.S. Stay Safe
Utah Firearms Safety and Violence Prevention Program
The Utah Legislature tasked the Utah Attorney General's office, in collaboration with the Utah State Board of Education, to develop a Firearms Safety and Violence Prevention Pilot Program. Program materials include a fast-paced, entertaining 5-minute educational video that teaches kids what to do when they find a gun or become aware of a threat at school.
The program, "LETS Stay Safe," uses the mnemonic L.E.T.S. to teach: Leave it alone; Educate others; Tell an adult; and, Share threats against the school or other students with authorities.