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OK2SAY tipline can help keep our schools safe

OK2SAY — Michigan’s student safety program that allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees and schools — is marking its 10th anniversary.

To encourage use of the program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed OK2SAY Student Safety Program Week in Michigan.

Since its launch in September 2014, OK2SAY has received over 56,000 tips identifying students in crisis and helping to prevent school violence. The 2023 OK2SAY Annual Report shows the program received the most incident reports last year since its inception in 2014. The top five cumulative tip categories have been suicide threats, bullying, drugs, other (anxiety, depression, harassment), and planned school attacks.

OK2SAY is safe, confidential, and staffed by trained professionals. Students can submit tips via phone call, text, email, website, or mobile app. It is housed in the Office of School Safety, which is part of the Michigan State Police Grants and Community Services Division.

Trained technicians receive, analyze and disseminate tip information to school officials, community mental health service programs and/or law enforcement officials.

“Early intervention is crucial to reducing violence and saving lives,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “We are immensely proud of the positive impact OK2SAY has made during the last decade. We are confident that through the use of this tool, school violence has been prevented, and resources have been provided to students encountering mental health issues, bullying and substance misuse.”

OK2SAY tips can be submitted at any time in the following ways:

— Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)

— Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)

— Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov

— OK2SAY website: michigan.gov/ok2say

— OK2SAY mobile app: Available for download in the app store for iPhone and Android.

Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY operators will address the immediate need and, as necessary, forward the information to the appropriate responding agency or organization.

– Iron Mountain Daily News

Starting at $4.62/week.

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