SafeUT

Family Adventure

This Adventure is very simple, but important to help keep your family safe. Take a few minutes for everyone to download the SafeUT app.

Why?

Because this statewide crisis line puts help in the palm of your child's hands and links youth with professionals.  They can be in contact with trained counselors at the tap of a smartphone screen.

This is the best way to connect children that are in the greatest danger and have the greatest need with the people who can save their lives.  This mobile app, available for free on Apple and Android devices, allows students and adults to confidentially submit tips to the staff at their school, or to connect immediately by voice or text with counselors at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute, or UNI, a division of University of Utah Health Care.

The texting feature is crucial for getting youth in crisis to reach out for help. We are empowering our students and our children with the same type of lifeline to be able to reach out and get the help and assistance they need.

You can download the app by going to your App store and searching for “SafeUT.”  Then spend some time teaching your kids how to use it.

How to Submit a Tip:

• Students experiencing crisis, bullying, threats or who are aware of a threat can communicate with SafeUT in the following ways:
• SafeUT Mobile App (call and chat functions)
• Call Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (routed to a UNI crisis counselor at the UNI CrisisLine)
• Reporting via website will be available via individual school websites as schools onboard this function. Take a few minutes to see if your child's school is onboard.

Key Features of SafeUT

• Anonymous, confidential and password protected
• Real-time, two-way communication with SafeUT crisis counselors available 24/7
• Tips can be submitted with picture and/or video
• Mobile App works with Apple & Android devices
• Multiple languages available

Pre-K Adventure

This Adventure is designed specifically for school-age children and adults. However, it's never too early to start teaching your little ones important safety tips. You can complete this Adventure with your pre-schooler by reviewing a few of these safety tips with them:

• “Stop, look and listen” when their name is called out loud. Listening and following your instructions are important first steps. “No” means “Stop and look at me.” “Okay” means “Go.” This rule is especially important around traffic, in the playground, on outings or during water play.

• Never cross the street without an adult.

• Hazard symbols mean “Danger. Stay away.” Ask your child to come and get you if they find a product marked this way. Store poisons like candy colored laundry pods, cleaning products and medications in a locked cabinet.

• We can prevent trips and falls by picking up toys after play and keeping the stairs and hallway floors clear of toys, clothing and shoes.

• Hold the handrail and turn on a light before going up or down stairs.

• Turn the cold water faucet on first when washing hands at the sink.

• Ask an adult before opening bottles or containers.

• Keep small objects and toys (anything small enough to fit inside an empty toilet roll) away from a younger child.

• Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, but take it off before playing on a playground.

• Stay far away from water (for example a pool, lake or river) unless an adult is holding their hand.

• Avoid climbing or pulling on big pieces of furniture.

• An adult needs to be present to use the oven or the stove.

• Ask for help if you need to plug something in.

A Little Reminder for Mom and Dad:

A Good Safety Rule:

• is simple, clear and age-appropriate.  Be sure your child understands the rule.
• is consistent. If a rule isn’t applied in the same way over and over, your child will think it has no meaning and will be less likely to follow it.
• is reasonable. A random rule—which cannot be easily explained or doesn’t seem to have a cause or effect/consequence—is easy to forget and may not matter much.
• is reinforced. When your child behaves safely without prompting, offer praise (“Thanks for looking out for your little sister by picking up your toys.”).
• is shared. Everyone in the family knows the rule, follows it and helps others follow it too.
• is positive. Say, “We walk when we’re at the wading pool,” rather than “No running.” We can NOT picture not doing something without first picturing the act of 'doing it'. Example: If you tell a child "Don't run into the street" they have to visualize running into the street in order to visualize NOT doing it. They have unintentionally been set up to run into the street. However, if you say, "Be sure to stay on this side of the sidewalk, they picture themselves staying on this side of the sidewalk and have been set-up for success! Always tell children what they should do, rather than what they should not do.
• is not scary. A child shouldn’t be discouraged or scared into behaving safely.
• has consequences if it isn’t followed. If restating a safety rule with a gentle warning doesn’t work, remove your child from the activity. Be sure to follow through on consequences.

Community Engagement Adventure

The SafeUT app is meant to be SHARED! Now that your family is aware of the app and in a safer, stronger situation, be sure to share it with those you care about:

❏ extended family members

❏ friends

❏ youth groups you work with

❏ people from your church

❏ people you take classes with

❏ ANYONE and EVERYONE

To complete this mission tell at least 10 people about the app. This can be in person, by email/text/phone or by designing a flyer and delivering it around your neighborhood.

Teen Adventure

This Adventure is particularly important for TEENS!

The Teen Level Adventure is the same as the 'Family' Adventure.

Photo Location

Take a picture of your family with everyone having the SafeUT app downloaded on your phones and post it to your social media sites with the hashtags #SafeUT and #MyDiscoveryDestination

The SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip Line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through texting and a confidential tip program – right from your smartphone. The app was created as a partnership between the State of Utah and the University of Utah to focus on the safety and well-being of students in Utah to prevent bullying, criminal activities, and planned school attacks.

The SafeUT program and app help youth stay healthy and safe in schools by providing high-quality, confidential counseling services. SafeUT answers crisis calls, texts, and chats – about yourself or someone else 24/y. These free services are confidential and include topics such as:

• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues
• Suicide prevention
• Loss and grief
• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Drug & alcohol problems
• Self-harm
• Relationship difficulties
• Any life challenge