September 01, 2026
WHEREAS, in 2024, the national suicide rate was 13.7 deaths per 100,000 and the Michigan suicide rate was 13.6 deaths per 100,000, with 1,443 Michigan residents dying by suicide; and,
WHEREAS, in 2024, Michigan’s suicide rate decreased 8.7% from 2023; and,
WHEREAS, in 2024, firearms were used in 55.2% of the suicide deaths in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, in 2024, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death for all Michigan residents and the second leading cause of death for residents ages 10 to 34; and,
WHEREAS, in 2023, 180 Michigan veterans died by suicide, a rate of 35.6 deaths per 100,000, demonstrating the need for veteran-specific suicide prevention programs; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline coverage statewide has answered 353,449 calls since July 16, 2022; and,
WHEREAS, surviving family and friends not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are at higher risk themselves for attempting suicide; and,
WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local suicide prevention organizations have been working tirelessly to prevent suicide and provide support after suicide deaths in Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, the newly established Michigan Suicide Prevention Council has identified priority strategies essential to strengthening suicide prevention infrastructure, including one to establish professional licensure requirements that include comprehensive suicide prevention education; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s federally funded Transforming Youth Suicide Prevention and Preventing Suicide in Michigan Men programs are committed to lowering the suicide rate among youth, young adults and adult men by creating true, sustainable change in both state and local systems; and,
WHEREAS, With One Voice serves as the statewide suicide prevention coalition working to prevent suicide and increase hope and healing across Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan can reduce its suicide rate by employing best practices, supporting community involvement and encouraging at-risk individuals to seek help through open, direct and honest talk about suicide;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month in Michigan and call upon our citizens and interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities that promote awareness that there is hope; suicide is preventable and mental illness is treatable.
