As we observe National Suicide Prevention Month, it's important to recognize the profound impact mental health counselors and educators have had on students' lives. Tools like GoGuardian Beacon, used by these dedicated and caring professionals, further enhance their efforts and contribute to making a meaningful difference.
Since March 2020, GoGuardian has been honored to support educators who have been pivotal in safeguarding learners nationwide. With the aid of our platform, it is estimated over 18,623 students have been prevented from physical harm. This number underscores the profound impact educators, supported by technology, have on student safety and well-being.
Jon Castelhano of Gilbert Unified School District shared his perspective on the importance of such technology: "It’s powerful. If everyone uses the system as intended, it can help. If it can help one student, it’s worth it.”
Currently, 51,000 educators use GoGuardian Beacon to alert when a student is at risk of suicide, self-harm, or potential harm to others. At its core, Beacon is designed to detect and alert designated responders when a student exhibits signs of distress. These early alerts enable timely intervention, which can be the difference between life and death. By scanning digital interactions and flagging concerning behavior, Beacon ensures no student’s distress goes unnoticed.
Real-world impact
Neosho School District in Missouri’s testimonial illustrates how Beacon is more than just a technological solution — it's a lifeline that provides schools with what’s needed to make informed decisions and take action when it matters most.
With a student body of nearly 5,000 spread across 10 schools, Neosho faced an alarming crisis: A suicide rate nearly 30 times the national average. In the years leading up to Beacon’s adoption, the district had already implemented various interventions, including an anonymous tip line, mental health screenings, and on-site therapy, but these efforts were insufficient.
Tracy Clements, the former Director of Counseling Services, recalled the overwhelming challenge: “I felt like I had hit a wall and was struggling to continue to make progress for our older students.” Despite various interventions, Neosho struggled to find a solution that worked for high school students until Beacon came into play.
Initially skeptical, Tracy’s doubts were dispelled when Beacon made a dramatic difference. “Two weeks into using Beacon, I got my first Active Planning alert,” she recounted. The alert revealed a student searching for methods of self-harm, and thanks to Beacon, Tracy was able to intervene just in time.
Implementing Beacon, which detects early signs of distress through students’ digital activity, allowed Neosho to shift from reactive to proactive responses. Tracy noted, “Beacon enabled us to be proactive and address concerns before they became crises.” This proactive approach led to a notable decrease in the severity of risk assessments, with high-risk cases dropping from nearly 50 to fewer than 10 in three years.
Dr. Jim Cummins, Superintendent of Neosho School District, reflects on Beacon’s impact: “You can rest well at night, knowing you are changing districts and saving lives.” Beacon’s integration into Neosho’s support system has facilitated timely interventions and provided a critical layer of safety, ensuring students do not face their darkest moments alone.
A collective effort
The impact of GoGuardian Beacon extends beyond individual schools; it represents a collective effort to create safer educational environments. By leveraging technology in a human-centered way, Beacon supports educators, administrators, and mental health professionals in their mission to protect students.
As we recognize National Suicide Prevention Month, we stand in partnership with schools nationwide by integrating technology with a human-centered approach. Together, we can create safer, more supportive environments for students.
Interested in learning more? We're here to assist. Schedule a demo to witness the difference we can make together.
