LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 13, 2024) – With Suicide Prevention Month underway, Senate Democrats are bringing awareness to the issue of suicide in Michigan and uplifting critical policies and budget investments recently passed to bolster suicide prevention efforts across the state. As the 11th leading cause of death in this state and nationwide, it’s clear that suicide is an alarming public health issue that must be addressed swiftly and comprehensively through evidence-based prevention measures.
“I know suicide touches all of us, many of us directly, individually — certainly whole communities are impacted by suicide,” said Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) on the Senate floor earlier this week while introducing Senate Resolution 136 to designate September as Suicide Prevention Month in Michigan. “Each person who dies by suicide leaves behind people who knew that person along with the impact of that suicide, and the grief that follows.”
Research has shown that most people who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death. Understanding that mental health is just as crucial as physical health, Senate Democrats have prioritized accessing mental health care in Michigan. Through Senate Bill 27, signed into law this spring, insurers must cover treatments for mental health and substance use disorders at the same level as physical health services. This means, for example, insurers must provide the same deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums for behavioral healthcare as it does for other physical care. This will help ensure that Michiganders can access the type of healthcare they need, when they need it.
“Michiganders’ mental health is no less important than their physical health — especially when lives are at stake. No one should feel trapped or without support because they can’t access or afford the care they need,” said Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), lead sponsor of SB 27. “This bipartisan legislation will play a critical role in suicide prevention by ensuring that those struggling can access help before it’s too late. Reducing barriers to care saves lives.”
Continual evidence shows us that gun safety measures are critical in preventing suicide, as firearms account for over half of suicide deaths nationally and here in Michigan. Because of the devastation gun violence has caused across the state, whether due to suicide, mass shootings, or accidents, the Senate passed an 11-bill gun violence prevention package last year. This bipartisan legislation, which was signed into law last spring and went into effect in February of this year, establishes universal background checks (Senate Bills 76-86), promotes the safe storage of firearms through child access laws (Senate Bills 79-82), and allows courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders to temporarily intervene and suspend a person’s access to firearms if they show clear warning signs of violence and pose an immediate threat to themselves or others (Senate Bills 83-86).
“Of those who attempt suicide by firearm, 90% are successful, a staggeringly high rate compared to attempts made via any other method. It’s devastating to think how many people would have survived if they’d had access to more time instead of access to a gun,” said Sen. Mallory McMorrow, sponsor of Senate Bill 83. “In these moments of crisis, every moment matters. Red flag laws buy loved ones, judges, and law enforcement time to intervene and prevent an unthinkable tragedy. While it is difficult to measure events that did not happen, we are already beginning to see the meaningful impact of this law here in Michigan and its ability to de-escalate situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises.”
Another crucial way Senate Democrats aided suicide prevention efforts was by banning conversion therapy last year. The practice by mental health professionals attempting to change someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation has long been discredited, as it has been consistently linked with negative mental health outcomes and greater risk of suicide. Michigan became the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy when the legislation to eliminate this harmful practice was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last July.
The state budget is an important and impactful tool policymakers have to prioritize the needs of Michiganders around the state. In the 2025 state budget, Senate Democrats made meaningful investments in mental health care and suicide prevention in Michigan, including:
-
$30 million in new funding to increase access to critical 24-hour crisis services, outpatient behavioral health care, primary care, and psychiatric rehabilitation through an expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers;
-
$9.4 million to provide statewide coverage for 988, the suicide and mental health crisis line;
-
$48.2 million from the Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund to support substance use disorder treatment and prevention efforts;
-
$1.2 million to support suicide prevention programs that help veterans and their families address the trauma related to military service;
-
$750,000 in federal fund authorization to utilize a grant under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, helping to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of veterans, service members, and their families; and
-
$250,000 to support Six Feet Over’s suicide loss survivor program, a nonprofit that provides mental health education, advocacy, and support to individuals with lived experiences of suicide.