New Kyrene School District system allows anonymous way to report safety, mental health concerns

The Kyrene School District has launched a new anonymous reporting system called Speak Up Kyrene.

It allows students and community members to send in safety or mental health concerns around the clock, whether it's through text, over the phone or through a mobile app.

Kyrene's executive director of academic equity and excellence, Sandra Laine said the system has been available for about a week and has already been put to use.

“We’ve had some reports of bullying, reports of vandalism, some reports of harassment, [and] those types of things," Laine said. "So the principal is working through those and determining what’s next, whether that child needs support or whether, you know, discipline is necessary.”

Laine said anonymous reporting systems are becoming fairly common in schools. Students in crisis will also have immediate access to highly trained, licensed counselors who are fluent in English and Spanish, with translation support available in more than 600 other languages.

“These counselors are not only educated and experienced but specifically trained to support students experiencing personal crises like suicidal ideation or feelings of hopelessness,” Laine said. “They are prepared to intervene in the moment and ensure students are never alone, no matter the hour.”

Laine said with recent acts of violence at other schools, a system like this is a necessity.