News Information and Media Site: School tip lines were meant to prevent shootings. They found another crisis.

Saturday, February 1, 2020

School tip lines were meant to prevent shootings. They found another crisis.

Feb 01, 2020

School tip lines were meant to prevent shootings. They found another crisis.

In an effort to prevent school shootings, states have set up anonymous tip lines for students to report concerns about classmates. But the tip lines have been flooded with reports of students self-harming or feeling suicidal — forcing communities to confront a different kind of crisis.

In Hermiston, Oregon, a tip to the SafeOregon hotline led police to the home of a teenager who was attempting suicide. "They basically saved his life because of this tip from a student," said Tricia Mooney, the school district's superintendent.