Yesterday dozens of teens and young adults in our community were victims to a very public, mean-spirited cyberbullying attack that hit Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat platforms.

Please know we take this attack seriously. We’re sorry for the harm caused to those targeted and are working to bring this situation to a close as quickly as possible.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

– Taos Municipal Schools, Taos Police Department and New Mexico State Police are actively investigating to identify the person and/or persons responsible for the attack. The cyber attacker(s) potentially face criminal charges as a result of the violations committed.

WHAT WE CAN DO NOW

– To help stop the violations, assist authorities in identifying who is responsible. If you have any info to share or continued online posts to report, please contact Officer Henry Sanchez, Taos Police Department at (575) 613.6570 or Luckie Daniels, Taos Municipal Schools at (575) 224.4480.

– Resist re-sharing content [and talking] about the attack. No denying the content shared was hurtful. But authorities need to determine who is responsible for putting it online, and re-sharing original posts makes following the digital trail challenging. Also, the person/persons involved intended to cause those attacked pain and embarrassment. Don’t give him/her the satisfaction – cut the effort short!

– Get help if you need it. What’s happened is upsetting. Talking about this experience with trusted family and friends can help you get through it. We also have local resources (see below) and Crisis Text Line at #START 741741 available to support you. You are not alone. Let your circle and community help.

– Crisis Text Line – Text “START” 741741
– DreamTree Project (575) 758-9595
– Golden Willow Retreat (575) 776-2024
– Valle del Sol (575) 751-7037
– Non-Violence Works (575) 758-4297
– Tri-County Community Services (575) 758-5857
– 24/7 Emergency (575) 758-1125
– Youth Hotline (877) 968-8454
– National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255
– Sky Counseling Center (505) 473-6191
– Ted Wiard (505) 690-0126
– Jill Cline (575) 770-1327
– Marsha Carlson (650) 933-8367
– Risa Lehrer (575) 758-3913

As we learn more, we’ll share more. Just know this, we are here for you, however and whenever you need it.

See something. Say something. Do something.

Luckie and Justis

Hear Us, What's Up?

Keep Pushing Forward

By taossteam on

November 9, 2016

- Hear Us, What's Up?

While most Americans were at the polls casting their votes on November 8, #SeeSomethingSaySomething teens were capturing personal narratives from Taos middle and high-school students in support of our new teen suicide prevention campaign.

Witnessing teens shedding tears and fighting for the lives of other teens? Powerful is an understatement!

We know last night’s election came with a few surprises. And as a Person of Color who questions whether my interests (and safety) will be on the agenda of the new administration, I understand how upsetting today can be.

But here’s the deal. To fight for representation and opportunities, we have to be living first. And that’s what our work here is all about. We have much to look forward to. We’re still here able to fight another day.

As Harlo (a suicide attempt survivor) reminded us yesterday, life really is precious. We must keep pushing forward.

Please checkout the encouragement and coping tips shared by our partners at Crisis Text Line. They are right – you got this America!

And we got you . . .

Layla, Seb, Justis, Aryanna, Sabina and Mattias