Report: Suicide threats, bullying top tips to OK2SAY

The 2019 OK2SAY annual report was released Friday, showing more than 5,700 tips from students were received over the year, with suicide threats and bullying the most highly reported.

Designed as a student safety program, OK2SAY is a prevention-based reporting system that, as of early June, has gotten 25,413 tips since its 2014 launch.

For 2019, OK2SAY received 5,742 tips for 31 categories. According to the report, the top five categories were:

• Suicide threats - 1,298 tips

• Bullying - 1,001 tips

• Drugs - 624 tips

• Other (anxiety, stress, depression, harassment, etc.) - 401 tips

• Self-harm - 368 tips “OK2SAY has done more than save lives, it’s prevented violence and has ensured that Michigan students have a safe place to learn and grow,” Secretary of State Dana Nessel stated in a news release. “OK2SAY has played an important role in helping students get the support they need, both in school and out in their communities.”

Col. Joe Gasper, director of Michigan State Police, also weighed in.

“The Michigan State Po

lice continues to be proud of the positive impact this program is having in improving safety within our schools and in supporting Michigan students,” he stated. “Students should know that even though they are not physically meeting

in school buildings right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our OK2SAY technicians remain at work and stand ready to support students 24/7 in any way they can.”

Key features of OK2SAY include confidential reporting and technology to accept tips 24 hours a day. Photos and links to additional information are encouraged.

Once a tip is received, trained OK2SAY technicians with the MSP screen and forward tips to local law enforcement, schools, local community mental health organizations or the Department of Health and Human Services. To submit a tip:

• Call: 8-555-OK2SAY, 855-565-2729

• Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)

• Email OK2SAY@ mi.gov

• Visit the OK2SAY website at www.michigan.gov/ ok2say

• OK2SAY Mobile App: Available for download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for iOS and Android mobile devices.

Read the annual report at https://tinyurl.com/ydh7ak4p.