Michigan receives grant for suicide prevention in men

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on Oct. 12 that it has received $4.35 million in funding to be used over the next five years to address suicide in adult men, the Grand Valley Lanthorn reported. The new program is called “Preventing Suicide in Michigan Men.” According to the MDHHS, more than 48,000 Americans lost their lives to suicide in 2018, and over 6,700 Michiganders have died of suicide between 2014 and 2018. “When we looked at the data within Michigan but also nationally, we see higher rates of suicide deaths for men — 67% of all suicide deaths annually,” Jennifer DeLaCruz, MDHHS Injury and Violence Prevention Section manager, said. “That is an area that we need to focus our energy on now that we have this great opportunity to receive the funding.” DeLaCruz said that their goal is a 10% reduction in morbidity and mortality over the five years. “We're looking at a decrease in death rates, as well as ED visits and hospital visits for suicide ideation and self‐harm,” said DeLaCruz.