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SALT LAKE CITY — SafeUT, an app that connects people in crisis to a counselor, has exchanged one million messages with users in a single year. This is a first in the app's six-year history.
Dénia-Marie Ollerton, manager at SafeUT, said she was blown away when she learned about the news.
"That million indicates more of the intensity of the conversation," said Ollerton. "I think that to me just says people are really really in need of support, of help."
SafeUT worked with first responders to conduct 349 life-saving interventions. That is a 17% increase from the previous year. Additionally, Ollerton said that they are willing to talk about pretty much anything.
"We talk about pretty much anything somebody wants to throw at us," said Ollerton. "We call ourselves a crisis tip line, and the school safety tip line, and crisis means something different to everybody."
More key statistics from the 2021-22 annual report:
- There are 882,427 students who have access to the SafeUT app across Utah, up from 850,790 last year.
- SafeUT received 8,537 total tips from Utah K-12 and higher ed students, parents/guardians, and educators, including 1,579 suicide tips, 994 bullying tips, and 456 depression tips. That's up from 6,274 last year.
- SafeUT received 801 tips for potential school threats or acts of violence, including 157 for guns, 149 for planned attacks, 75 for assault, and 70 for fights. That's up from 256 threat tips last year.
Ollerton encourages anyone to download the app, whether it's for themselves or someone else, and give it a try.
The SafeUT app is available for download. You can also learn more about 2021-22 SafeUT Annual Report here.
Contributing: Tamara Vaifanua, KSL-TV
