LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan’s OK2SAY program is celebrating 10 years and over 56,000 tips since it was launched in public schools. The call, text, and email tip line began back in 2014 as a way for students to report any rumors of threats, or dangerous behavior while keeping themselves anonymous.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist talked with students at Holt Junior High to commemorate the anniversary today. He said the continued support and promotion of the helpline makes a difference for students regardless of the district or how rural the community is.
“School should be a place where students feel empowered to achieve their full potential in a safe environment,” Gilchrist said. “Over ten years, the OK2SAY program has been an invaluable resource for Michigan students to speak up and report potential threats to their safety or the safety of others. It is safe, confidential, staffed by trained professionals 24/7, and students can submit tips via phone call, text, email, website, or mobile app. We are proud of how OK2SAY has helped encourage a culture of safety to ensure every Michigan student can focus on what matters. Let’s keep working together to protect students, educators, and schools.”
To encourage students use of the program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed Sept. 15 – 21 as OK2SAY Student Safety Program Week in Michigan.
Since its launch in September 2014, OK2SAY has received over 56,000 tips that identified students in crisis and helped 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.
“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.”
Today’s commemoration was held at Holt Junior High School led by Dr. David G. Hornak, superintendent of Holt Public Schools. Students attended an OK2SAY safety presentation and signed a banner pledging to do their part to help keep themselves and fellow students protected.
OK2SAY is available 24/7, and tips can be submitted 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.
Trained technicians receive, analyze, and disseminate tip information to school officials, community mental health service programs, and/or law enforcement officials.
OK2SAY is housed in the Office of School Safety, which is part of the MSP Grants and Community Services Division. The OSS is committed to delivering quality services to schools that promote safe and secure learning environments to reduce threats, build trust, and improve the quality of life for K-12 students.
