LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 27, 2024) — Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) celebrated Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s appointment yesterday of Dr. Lisa Walker of Detroit to the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission.
“Our communities are stronger and our residents are better served when we have demonstrated experts leading the fight against suicide and other critical public health concerns,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “I’m thrilled that one of our region’s distinguished behavioral health experts has been appointed to the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission, and I’m confident that Dr. Walker’s expertise will continue to make a tangible difference in our state’s ability to prevent suicide and improve health outcomes.”
A constituent of Sen. Cavanagh’s, Dr. Walker is a Doctor of Psychology and a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience in the field. She is the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Project Director for Lincoln Behavioral Services. With support from the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Dr. Walker and Lincoln Behavioral Services have implemented the evidence-based practice of Zero Suicide into programs and services, including school-based interventions. Dr. Walker will also be working with the Department of Defense and other veteran groups to help prevent suicide among the military population.
The Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission was signed into law in 2019 and became effective March 19, 2020. The Commission works with state departments and agencies and nonprofit organizations to research the causes and possible underlying factors of suicide in Michigan.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in Michigan and nationwide. Since gaining the legislative majority in 2023, Sen. Cavanagh and Michigan Democrats have been working hard to reduce suicide and protect Michigan students and residents. Just yesterday, Sen. Cavanagh and the Michigan Legislature approved $125 million in additional funding for school safety and mental health funding for Michigan schools, building on the concerted effort and significant investments of Democrats’ first two state budgets.
Earlier this month, Senate Democrats passed Senate Resolution 136 establishing September as Suicide Prevention Month in Michigan. The resolution and designated awareness month seek to cultivate an open dialogue around suicide, reduce the stigma, and promote resources and signs to watch for to help Michiganders that are struggling. Democrats have also been working on concrete policies and budget investments to strengthen public safety, promote mental health and reduce suicide. This includes legislation to provide equitable insurance coverage for mental health needs, promoting safe storage and other gun violence prevention efforts, and strengthening supports for youth, veterans, and other people at higher risk of suicide.