Bullying hotline received almost 3,400 tips in 2016
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has announced that the OK2SAY student safety program received 3,359 tips in 2016—up nearly 55% from 2015. Tips were received in 30 categories including:
—800 tips on bullying;
—569 tips on suicide threats;
—480 tips related to depression, stress, and mental health;
—307 tips on self-harm; and
—279 tips on cyberbullying.
OK2SAY has already received almost 700 tips in the first two months of 2017.
“As awareness for OK2SAY grows, so do the number of tips, which illustrates how successful this program has become. OK2SAY works for Michigan kids,” said Schuette. “Students from around the state who previously did not know where to go are turning to OK2SAY for help.
“I also want to thank the Michigan State Police for their continued work to help Michigan kids as we work together...”
Said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, MSP Director, said, “The safety and well-being of Michigan’s children is a priority for the Michigan State Police. Our specially trained technicians take every tip they receive very seriously. [W]e want to remind students that nothing is too small or insignificant to report. You could save a life.”
OK2SAY acts as an early warning system in Michigan schools to prevent tragedies before they occur. Launched in 2014, the program encourages students to submit confidential tips to trained technicians about potential harm or threats 24/7.
Through the tips received in 2016, OK2SAY has saved lives. Submitted tips have prevented school violence, thwarted suicide attempts and provided help to many students in need of mental health or social services.
OK2SAY is effective in combatting the culture of silence that permeates Michigan schools. In reports filled out after a tip is received and acted upon, 67% of schools, law enforcement and mental health professionals who received the tip from OK2SAY line said they were previously unaware of the problem. OK2SAY has proven to be immensely successful in saving lives and preventing tragedies.
The key features of OK2SAY include confidential reporting, protected by state law; comprehensive technology, including the ability for multi-media attachments like photos and videos; coordinated intervention, with technicians at the MSP screening and forwarding tips to local law enforcement, schools, community mental health organizations, or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; accountability, with an outcome report requested to detail the situation’s resolution; and the flexibility of submitting a report by calling 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729), texting 652729 (OK2SAY), emailing ok2say@mi.gov; reporting to the website www.ok2say.com, or using the OK2SAY mobile app, available for iPhone and Android.
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