At Herbert Akins Road Middle School in Fuquay-Varina, Principal Anne Marie Adkins said students are seeking help from adults in the building more often in recent years.
"Over the years as a principal, I've seen students actually seek more assistance from the adults in the school building. As far as, wanting to talk about things, get support for their mental health," Adkins said.
The push for early intervention in student mental health and safety is part of a growing national conversation, one intensified by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting nearly 13 years ago. That tragedy helped spark new tools aimed at identifying warning signs before violence occurs.
One of those tools is the Say Something app, created by a nonprofit called Sandy Hook Promise. It allows students to anonymously report concerning behavior or threats.
Wake County Public Schools are now entering their second year using the app.
"I think the difference that this makes is it gives another avenue for us at schools, folks, to be able to get information about what's going on with our students," said Dr. Corliss Thompson-Drew, the Director of School Psychology for the WCPSS.
Dr Thompson-Drew said Sandy Hook Promise has provided resources for free to the district and worked closely with WCPSS to implement the technology.
Throughout Wake County schools, QR codes posted in classrooms and hallways give students quick access to the app. The goal is to lower the barrier for students to speak up, especially when they're unsure how.
"If they're not quite comfortable or they're not quite sure what to say or how to say it, they can submit, say something, that type of a report," Adkins said.
The district said the app has already played a significant role. In the past school year, Wake County received:
- 39 reports about planned school attacks
- 152 reports related to self-harm or suicidal ideation
- 55 reports about bullying
- 30 reports related to drug use
"I feel like the students, from my perspective, have utilized it very well," Adkins said.
District officials said that 41% of the tips were classified as life safety risks, which resulted in notification to law enforcement, the district and school teams. Students received welfare checks, counseling, referrals to behavioral health partners, and/or ongoing monitoring and support.
While no single tool can prevent every crisis, district leaders say more information helps schools respond quickly and appropriately.
According to Sandy Hook Promise, the Say Something app has already helped save more than 1,000 lives nationwide through early intervention.
To learn more about the app, click here.