Our community is hurting. Recently, a student, A CHILD, lost his life after another student reportedly experienced a mental health crisis while using illegal substances. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the immense challenges our children face daily. Drugs in our communities, while being fought everyday, are making their way into our schools—into the hands of our children. 

In Jones County, we have lost too many young people to drugs, violence, bullying, mental health struggles, and suicide. These heartbreaking losses have left a profound impact on our families, schools, and neighborhoods. It is clear that too many students are carrying heavy things in silence because they don’t know where to turn, or they’re afraid to speak up. These children desperately need a safe space to turn to. They need a place where they can express their concerns for their peers and seek help without fear of retribution or stigmatization.

This is why I am petitioning for the Jones County School District to implement the STOPIt program. STOPIt is an innovative app that provides students with a secure and anonymous way to report issues such as bullying, mental health crises, drug use, financial hardships, school threats, and safety concerns. By adopting this program, our schools would be empowering students to stand up for themselves and their peers, fostering a safer and more supportive environment.

There is ample evidence that programs like StopIt can be incredibly effective. According to research, schools that adopt anonymous reporting systems see reductions in bullying incidents and an increase in student reporting of mental health concerns. Implementing StopIt can act as a preventative measure, helping identify students in need before situations escalate to a crisis. QR codes are place in areas around campuses and students simple scan and report with 100% anonymity. Hattiesburg Public School District is one of many who already use this program and have seen improvements. 

The safety and well-being of our children should be a top priority. By giving them the tools they need to speak up, we can take a proactive approach in addressing these critical issues. I urge the Jones County School District to take immediate action to integrate the StopIt app into our schools. Our students deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued.

Please sign this petition to help us advocate for the safety and mental health of our children.