Model and Strategy
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) trains youth and adults in middle and high schools to recognize warning signs and signals given off by individuals who may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others and get help by saying something to a trusted adult or using our anonymous reporting system (app, website or 24/7 crisis telephone line). Research shows that in countless cases of gun violence, warning signs and signals were given off weeks, months, or even years before individuals hurt themselves or others but no one understood what they were seeing, chose to ignore the signs, or were afraid to intervene. In just three years, Say Something has stopped multiple school shootings, suicides, and firearm threats; has intervened on bullying; and has gotten hundreds mental health and wellness help. By training two generations of Americans, SHP is creating a culture engaged in gun safety prevention and committed to saving lives by getting help for at-risk individuals.
Impact
Sandy Hook Promise’s theory of change is to prevent gun violence BEFORE it happens by creating a culture engaged in early identification and intervention of individuals who display warning signs and signals indicating that they may be at-risk of hurting themselves or others. We will achieve this by delivering, at no cost, our evidenced-based Know the Signs programs (which includes SS-ARS) to 26 million middle and high school parents, youth, educators, and administrators across two generations by 2026. Programs will be delivered and maintained through on the ground direct trainers, program coordinators, interactive training videos, curriculum downloads, in-school awareness materials, and student clubs. By engaging and creating two generations from all sides of the gun violence issue, SHP will also be able to educate, without bias, this base on prevention policy and practices, leverage them to help pass laws to support and mandate SHP programs in schools nationwide, and limit at-risk individuals from access, purchase, and ownership of firearms until deemed fit. The result, in partnership with the initiatives of other gun violence prevention partners, will be a 20% reduction in the ~500,000 annual acts of gun violence by 2026.
Leadership
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Nicole Hockley
Managing Director
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Mark Barden
Managing Director
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Tim Makris
Managing Director