The Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH) participated in the inaugural meeting of the Michigan Suicide Prevention Council in April 2026, a statewide collaborative effort convened by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to strengthen suicide prevention efforts across Michigan.
The Council brings together leaders and partners from diverse sectors, including public health, healthcare, education, behavioral health, community organizations, law enforcement, Tribal communities, veteran services, crisis services, and advocacy organizations to support implementation of Michigan’s Suicide Prevention Plan and advance coordinated suicide prevention efforts statewide.
Across Michigan, communities continue to feel the impact of suicide. In 2024, 1,443 Michigan residents died by suicide, with suicide ranking among the leading causes of death for young people in the state.
During the inaugural meeting, Council members reviewed Michigan’s current suicide prevention landscape, discussed strengths and gaps within the prevention system, and identified priorities to strengthen statewide suicide prevention infrastructure. Initial priorities include the establishment of a dedicated Office of Suicide Prevention and advancing suicide prevention education and training opportunities across key professions. A final report outlining the Council’s recommendations and proposed future action steps to strengthen suicide prevention efforts across Michigan is available here.
Unfortunately, the Michigan Suicide Prevention Council was not renewed in the fiscal year 2027 state budget and will end on September 30. Despite this, the work completed provides a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration among partners committed to reducing suicide and promoting mental well-being across Michigan.
ACMH was honored to contribute to this important work and to bring youth and family perspectives to a statewide conversation about suicide prevention. We remain committed to working alongside partners across Michigan to strengthen prevention, expand access to meaningful support, and ensure that young people and families know they are not alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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