Colorado’s anonymous safety tip line for students, Safe2Tell, received 829 reports in December, 61% fewer than the same month in 2019, according to a new data.

The decrease is part of a monthslong trend as the tip line saw 58% fewer tips during the 2020-21 school year compared to 2019-20.

Safe2Tell attributes the decrease to delayed school openings and increased at-home virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the decrease, Attorney General Phil Weiser said the tip line is more important now than ever as students, along with the general population, battle rising rates of isolation, depression and anxiety with the pandemic.

“At a time of great stress among young people, Safe2Tell continues to serve as a valuable system for identifying and responding to threats to student safety,” Weiser said.

“Students and community members are remaining vigilant and speaking out.”

Suicide threats made up the bulk of December’s tips, accounting for 182 out of 829, followed by welfare checks and cyberbullying.

False tips are down to only 1.6% of reports, compared to 2.5% last school year.

COVID-19’s influence on the tip line wasn’t immediately clear as Safe2Tell saw year-over-year increases and decreases between March and July; however, by August the tip line reported major decreases with a 50% reduction that month.

Safe2Tell is a violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own and others’ safety. The program is not an emergency response unit or mental health counseling service.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233, visit Safe2Tell.org or use the Safe2Tell mobile app.