The American Association of Suicidology estimates that suicide rates among 10 to 14 year olds have increased over 50 percent during the last 30 years. Suicide has been and still remains the leading cause of death among children aged 14 and younger. With advances in technology and the popularity of social media, these numbers are even higher today. "Bullycide" is a term coined recently to associate the cause of a suicide to bullying of any form. Tragedies like these can be prevented through proper education and awareness.

MASA sponsor SafeSchools has committed to the safety of students and helping to ensure all children can go to school free of fear. They offer a variety of courses geared at identifying, addressing, and preventing forms of bullying and self-harm due to bullying:

• Bullying: Recognition & Response (Complete)
• Bullying: Recognition & Response (Primer)
• Online Safety: Cyberbullying
• Online Safety: What Every Educator Needs to Know
• Self-Injury & Cutting
• Workplace Bullying: Awareness & Prevention
• Youth Suicide: Awareness & Prevention (Full Course)
• Youth Suicide: Awareness & Prevention (Jason Flatt Act)

For more information on how your district can help prevent bullying and its tragic consequences, please contact SafeSchools at 1-800-434-0154 or info@safeschools.com.