Michigan’s OK2Say school tip line received a record number of tips in 2024.
OK2Say Program Administrator Mary Gager Drew tells us Michigan State Police have released the annual report for the service, which shows ten years after it launched, the tip line is well known to students.
“Last year’s numbers were up 20% with over 11,719 total tips,” Drew said.
Drew says the most common issue reported via the tip service is bullying with more than 2,000 tips in 2024. Second is suicide, with 1,600. That’s followed by mental health issues like depression and anxiety, at just under 1,400 tips, and drugs at about 1,300.
Drew says state police hold events at schools all over the state to promote OK2Say, and the more they do it, the more the service gets used.
“After our team goes out and presents the program in front of elementary, middle, or high school, we can anticipate that we get tips almost immediately after creating that awareness. So, once we help educate or reinforce the message about how kids can help make a difference, they’re utilizing the program right away.”
With OK2Say, a student who notices something troubling in their school can anonymously report it via text or call. The OK2Say team then determines whether to pass the information along to the police or school leaders.
Drew says the tip line has resulted in 25 weapons seizures and prompted 236 threat assessments. She says its continued use by students demonstrates the service’s value.
