Students
Who knows more about what’s going on, in or out of school, than you? If you think there’s a threat to you, a friend, your school or the community, don’t wait. SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT with a tip that can bring much-needed help. How do you know if someone might need help? Most SUSO tips fall into one of three categories - click on a category below to learn more.
A classmate is being bullied or bullying someone else
Watch out for
- History of intense anger or resentment
- Feels abused, harassed, or bullied
- Lacks supportive family
- Lacks relationships with positive peers
- Other factors that suggest need for intervention
Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, self-harm, and even death. It also increases the risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school. Youth who bully others are at increased risk for substance use, academic problems, and experiencing violence later in adolescence and adulthood. Youth who bully others and are bullied themselves suffer the most serious consequences and are at greater risk for mental health and behavioral problems.
A classmate might hurt themselves
Watch out for
- Family history of suicide
- Family history of child maltreatment
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- History of mental disorders, particularly clinical depression
- History of alcohol and substance abuse
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
- Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
- Local epidemics of suicide
- Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
- Barriers to accessing mental health treatment
- Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
- Physical illness
- Easy access to lethal methods
- Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts
- Other factors that suggest need for intervention
A classmate might hurt others
Watch out for
- History of physical violence
- History of criminal acts
- Preoccupation with violence, violent individuals, or groups that advocate violence
- Preoccupation with mass shootings or infamous violent incidents
- History of intense anger or resentment
- Has grievance or feels treated unfairly
- Feels abused, harassed, or bullied
- History of serious mental illness (symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations)
- Special education services not meeting educational needs
- Lacks positive/trusting relationships with one or more school staff
- Other factors that suggest need for intervention