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SALT LAKE CITY — The SafeUT app is a free app that provides mental health resources 24/7, 365 days a year, that was created to combat Utah's high youth suicide rates.
On Wednesday, Utah's Education Interim Committee met to discuss the 2025 sunset date concerning oversight of the commission. The sunset date does not involve the SafeUT app, but the commission that is involved with the SafeUT program. The SafeUT program, which includes the SafeUT app, is not facing an end, Utah state Sen. Daniel Thatcher told the Dave and Dujanovic show on KSL NewsRadio on Thursday.
The Wednesday meeting gave those in the room a voice to discuss whether they want to see the commission meet that sunset date or make changes, such as filing for a bill to keep the commission alive.
Rep. Steve Eliason was a key player in getting the app off the ground. He said it is crucial the program continues as a resource.
"Having the ability to talk with a master's level clinician social worker any time, day or night, without an appointment at no cost? Utah is the only state in the nation you can do that," the Utah representative expressed.
At its core, he said nearly every school in the state has the SafeUT app set up. It plays two significant roles in preventing school deaths and suicides.
The app serves as a resource for crisis intervention for students, parents, and even teachers to talk with a licensed master's level counselor at Huntsman Mental Health Institute on the other end.
"The program has over a million messages going back and forth between students and therapists a year," Eliason said.
This comes as school safety is at the forefront of our minds. Eliason said this past fiscal year, 801 potential school threats were reported anonymously through the app that were followed up on.
"Students see something, if they say something, they could potentially avert a school shooting," he explained.
Because there were not enough members Wednesday to vote, they will be circling back once they meet again to establish the next steps for the commission.
"The results speak for itself, so I'm confident it'll go on because it's been so successful," Eliason said.
Correction: A previous version indicated that the lawmakers were reviewing a sunset date for the SafeUT app. The review was for the commission involved with the SafeUT program.
