Newtown, CT, Sept. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newtown, CT – Leading national gun violence prevention organization Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is preparing for its much-anticipated national Say Something Call-to-Action Week. The proven Say Something program teaches youth and adults how to identify warning signs and signals, especially in social media, from individuals who may want to hurt themselves or others and how to Say Something to a trusted adult to get them help. The call-to-action week invites schools and communities across the country to teach youth and teens how to be “upstanders” in their community instead of bystanders.
During the week of October 16th through the 20th, SHP will host its 3rd annual Say Something Call-to-Action week with an expansive network of schools and youth organizations across the country. In 2016, hundreds of thousands of students in grades 6-12 from over 1,000 schools nationwide learned how to recognize the warning signs of violence and self-harm, including bullying, depression and eating disorders, as well as substance, physical, or sexual abuse, and how to share any observed signs with a trusted adult to get help. Through Say Something, every student is empowered to help others and their community. Schools that participate in Say Something during the week and incorporate the core values of the program into their school culture and community at large are eligible to enter their school to win a Say Something award and funds to help sustain the program.
According to U.S. Department of Justice Office research, in 4 out of 5 school shootings, the attacker told someone of his/her plans prior to the attack, and 70% of people who complete suicide told someone of their intention or gave some type of warning. Also, ABC News reported that on average there was at least one (1) shooting at a school or college campus per week in the U.S. in 2015. SHP’s programs work to proactively prevent tragedy by reinforcing the power within young people to stop violence before it starts.
Say Something is delivered at no cost to schools and organizations by SHP. The program can be taught in the classroom, through assemblies, or by student ambassadors. The program is based on research conducted by Dr. Dewey Cornell and Dr. Reid Meloy, two leading national experts in threat assessment and intervention.
This fall, SHP is also excited to announce they are partnering with EVERFI to create a new innovative digital course that enables even more students to experience the Say Something program. EVERFI, the nation’s leading education technology company, powers more than 4,200 partners in their education initiatives across all 50 states and Canada and is backed by some of the leading names in the tech world, including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Twitter founder Evan Williams, and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt. The new digital course highlights and reinforces how to identify at-risk behaviors, and empowers students to Say Something before tragedy occurs. It will be launched and made available to schools nationwide in October.
Since its inception, SHP has educated two (2) million youths, teens, and adults in its Know the Signs Programs in all 50 states on mental health & wellness, identification of at-risk behaviors and how to take action and get help before a situation escalates. Those trained are now able to spread SHP’s vital messages and create a culture of connectedness and inclusion throughout their community.
To sign-up your school, youth group, or community based organization to participate in SHP’s Say Something Call-to-Action week, please visit: http://www.sandyhookpromise.org/saysomethingweek.
About Sandy Hook Promise - Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national, nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. We are led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012 that claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and 6 educators. SHP is focused on preventing gun violence (and other forms of violence and victimization) BEFORE it happens by educating and mobilizing youth and adults on mental health and wellness programs that identify, intervene and help at-risk individuals. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible non-policy and policy solutions that protect children and prevent gun violence. Our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. For more information, visit www.sandyhookpromise.org or call 203-304-9780.
###
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ca11701-c0a2-4ba6-b69d-c2410aa325e6