May 15-22, 2021: Suicide Prevention Training Week

WHEREAS, May is known as Mental Health Awareness Month and is intended to help promote awareness surrounding the resources available to us and our communities; and,

 

WHEREAS, some mental illnesses and life stressors can come with suicidal thoughts and can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, income level, religion, or background; and,

 

WHEREAS, according to the report released in 2020 by the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, in Michigan, on average, one person died by suicide every six hours, and suicide is the tenth leading cause of death on average and second leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in Michigan; and,

 

WHEREAS, in 2019, more than 47,500 people died by suicide, and 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide; and,

 

WHEREAS, Michigan has higher rates of suicide among persons 10?19 and 25-44 years of age compared to the nation as a whole; and,

 

WHEREAS, surviving family and friends not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are at a higher risk themselves for attempting suicide; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Association for Suicide Prevention, Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission, and national and local suicide prevention organizations have been working tirelessly to halt the growth of suicide rates in Michigan; and,

 

WHEREAS, Michigan's federally funded Transforming Youth Suicide Prevention Program is committed to lowering the youth and young adult suicide rate by creating true, sustainable change through awareness and intervention in both state and local systems that serve youth and young adults; and,

 

WHEREAS, Michigan can reduce its suicide rate by employing best practices, gaining community involvement, and encouraging Michiganders to seek help through open, direct, and honest talk about suicide; and,

 

WHEREAS, Michigan Suicide Prevention Training Week is held both virtually and in-person with full safety precautions from May 15-22, 2021, in which suicide prevention skills trainers throughout the state will offer a number of classes to save lives across Michigan, especially with the mental hardships many individuals are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 15-22, 2021 as Suicide Prevention Training Week in Michigan and promote awareness that there is hope-suicide is preventable.