THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IS REMINDING STUDENTS OF A STATE HOTLINE FOR PROBLEMS RANGING FROM BULLYING TO DRUG USE. 

"SAFE 2 HELP ILLINOIS" PROVIDES A CARING EAR, COUNSELING AND RESOURCES IF APPROPRIATE TO KIDS OF ALL AGES BATTLING DEPRESSION OR FACING OTHER PROBLEMS. I-EMA’S SAMANTHA KANISH (cain-ish) SAYS STUDENTS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE HOTLINE IF THEY THINK A CLASSMATE MAY BE CONSIDERING SUICIDE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS STRUGGLING STUDENTS CAN REACH OUT. KANISH SAYS TEXTING: “SAFE 2” IS THE MOST POPULAR. KIDS CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD THE SAFE 2 HELP IL APP OR VISIT THE WEBSITE: SAFE 2 HELP IL DOT COM.

KANISH SAYS THEY RECEIVED 817 REPORTS LAST YEAR, WITH BULLYING THE MOST FREQUENT COMPLAINT. STUDENTS CAN ACCESS THE SERVICE BY TEXTING: SAFE 2.