A new challenge that has gone viral on social media around the world, which is being termed as a ‘suicide game,’ has taken life of several teenagers.

The game named the “blue whale challenge” that reportedly involves completing a set of challenges over 50 days - culminating with the participant taking their own life.

The challenges may range from watching a horror movie to self-harming.

On May 17th, 2016, the Russian news site RT reported that groups on the Russian social network VK were linked to “130 teen suicides in Russia
The officials of Denver Public Schools said that they are aware of the game, but they do not have any reported cases in the district.

The district wrote a letter to parents at one school about the existence of the game online, after the school requested it. Any school in the district can use the letter to inform parents, if they choose.

Philipp Budeikin, a 21-year-old Russian is allegedly though to be one of the organizers of the game and is being held at a prison in St. Petersburgh.

Budeikin reportedly told the Russian press his victims were “biological waste.”

Officials with Denver Public Schools said they take all information about suicide very seriously.

Officials are treating the situation similarly as they treated the Netflix series ’13 reasons Why.’

Helpful resources for parents and students:

-Colorado Crisis and Support Line (844-493-8255, or text “Talk” to 38255)

-National Suicide Hotline (800-273-8255

-Safe2Tell (877-542-7233)

-Trevor Project hotline for suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth (866-488-7386)

There are also talking points for parents available from the National Association of School Psychologists.

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