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 Governor's Challenge - Team Michigan

 Governor's Challenge - Team Michigan

Veterans Crisis Line information photo

VETERANS WHO ARE IN CRISIS OR HAVE HAD THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE SHOULD CALL THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE AT 988, AND PRESS 1, CHAT ONLINE AT www.veteranscrisisline.net, OR TEXT TO 838255. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE AT RISK, HELP THEM GET HELP. 

GOVERNOR'S CHALLENGE INITIATIVE

Michigan has partnered with SAMHSA and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to bring the Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families to our communities across Michigan.

The Governor's Challenge is an intensive process that takes each state team through the stages of both a Policy Academy model and an Implementation Academy model. 

TA is provided by SAMHSA's SMVF TA Center throughout this process. 

The Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency (MVAA) is leading this initiative in collaboration with many other key partners to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans and Families (SMVF). 

Governor's and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families | SAMHSA

KEY FOCUS AND EFFORTS: 

Reducing suicide among service members, veterans, and their families

Increasing access to services and support

Expanding statewide capacity to engage SMVF in public and private services

Enhancing provider and SMVF peer practices;

Implementing innovative best practices (e.g., Screening and Asking the Question - have you or a member of your household ever served in the military?)

 

To encourage organizations to "Ask the Question" the MI Governor's Challenge team developed the MI Veteran Connector designation. To learn more, visit the MI Veteran Connector page or reach out to mvaastrategy@michigan.gov to take the pledge.

Governor's Challenge logo

FIREARM AND GUN SAFETY

Be Smart

The Be SMART framework is designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries.

Talk Saves Lives TM | AFSP

The MI Governor's Challenge and the Michigan Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention have partnered and are pleased to offer Talk Saves Lives.

This 45-minute education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.

Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe.

Topics covered include:

  • Scope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the U.S. and worldwide
  • Research: Information from research on what causes people to consider suicide, as well as health, historical, and environmental factors that put individuals at risk
  • Prevention: An understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care
  • What You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs and behaviors to look for, and how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis