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OK2SAY continues to contribute to safer environments for students

LANSING — Nearly all school and law enforcement personnel using the confidential reporting system OK2SAY indicate it is useful and helpful in stopping harm before it occurs. 73% report they were unaware of the problem before the tip was submitted.

OK2SAY empowers Michigan students to help prevent violence and make their schools safe by confidentially reporting threatening behavior. Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The program’s 2020 Annual Report shows that OK2SAY received 3,743 tips spanning 31 categories, with the top three types of tips being:  

— Suicide threats – 896 tips

— Drugs – 456 tips

— Other (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression, harassment) – 436 tips

“Students know what’s troubling their peers because they’re paying attention, especially on social media where young people tend to openly share on platforms that may not be regularly monitored by parents and guardians,” said Nancy Becker Bennett, director of the MSP Grants and Community Service Division. “They’re reaching out to get help for their friends and we’re encouraged to see they trust us.”

Other findings from the 2020 annual report include that 10 tips involved the confiscation of weapons and 42 tips involved the seizure of drugs or alcohol. In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program experienced a 42% decrease in tip volume as students transitioned to a virtual learning environment.

OK2SAY is available 24/7 and tips can be submitted the following ways:

— Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729) 

— Text: 652729 (OK2SAY) 

— Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov

— OK2SAY website: ok2say.com

— OK2SAY mobile app: Available for download in app stores for iPhone and Android

Michigan law requires every public and nonpublic school to provide the MSP with at least one school official’s emergency contact information biannually. This information allows OK2SAY to efficiently communicate with school personnel when a tip is received. The form for schools to update their contact information can be found here.

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