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LANSING -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) worked with a comprehensive group of suicide prevention partners to develop the Michigan Suicide Prevention Council Report, according to an MDHHS press release on Wednesday.
In 2024, there were 1,443 suicide deaths among Michigan residents, making it the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34, according to MDHHS. As part of Suicide Prevention Month, MDHHS is sharing the plan's recommendations to help strengthen Michigan’s suicide prevention system.
"Every life lost to suicide is one too many, and the MDHHS is committed to helping create safer, healthier and more connected communities," Amy Epkey, acting MDHHS director, said in the release. "If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
The Michigan Suicide Prevention Council was charged with bringing together representatives from public health, health care, behavioral health, education, tribal communities, law enforcement, veteran services, community organizations, and other partners to collaborate on statewide comprehensive suicide prevention strategies and to support implementation of the Michigan Suicide Prevention Plan: A Systems Level Approach to Prevention Suicide, 2024-2027.
According to MDHHS, the council recommendations focus on:
- Sustained state funding for suicide prevention infrastructure.
- Aligning policy and licensure to educate professionals, which includes required mandatory suicide prevention training for certain professions and linking licensure to core suicide prevention competencies, such as recognition of risk and evidence-based screening and assessment.
For information or resources on suicide prevention or to review the report, visit the MDHHS Injury and Violence Suicide Prevention webpage via michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev.