Trigger Warning: This article mentions suicide.

September is suicide prevention month.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 years old as of 2024, according to a new report by the Michigan Suicide Prevention Council, made up of people from different sectors across the state. The recently established council joined together to make recommendations for the Michigan Suicide Prevention Plan.

State Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Lindsay DeCamp says that suicide rates are starting to decrease. “In 2024, our suicide rate was the lowest that it’s been since 2017, which is the first decrease that we’ve seen in recent years.”

But that doesn’t mean the work is over. 

The council recommended two priorities for the next year: sustaining state funding for suicide prevention infrastructure and finding ways to educate and license professionals across sectors in risk assessment and prevention.

Identifying risk factors

DeCamp says increased access to lethal means like firearms is a factor that contributes to suicide.  

“Research shows that states with higher rates of household gun ownership have significantly higher rates of suicide. Storing firearms securely and limiting access for those that are in heightened risk can help reduce suicide,” she says. 

DeCamp says societal, community and individual-level factors such as unemployment, health issues and social isolation can leave people more vulnerable to mental health struggles.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harm, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 for confidential emotional support 24/7. 

Note: The following story mentions suicide. 

The National Poll on Healthy Aging recently surveyed adults 50 and up to find out whether they use the 9-8-8 helpline. 

The survey found 31%of older adults never heard of the mental health crisis helpline.

“Another 38% had not heard of 988, but had heard of other mental health crisis lines, things like the Trevor Project or the Veterans Crisis Line,” says Kevin Saulnier, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor with the University of Michigan.

Saulnier says the survey also found that men were less aware and less likely to use 9-8-8 for mental health crises.

Saulnier says many adults 50 and up depend on other sources of assistance.

“So the majority of people said that in the case of a mental health crisis, they would reach out to family or friends, with 83% of people. Saying that they would be likely to take that approach, 82% said they would be likely to contact their regular healthcare provider,” he shares.

Another 73% say they would reach out to a mental health care professional directly, rather than using the helpline.

Saulnier says the helpline can fill a gap in service by providing counselors on call 24/7, all year long.

While the helpline can be an effective resource for people going through a mental health crisis, people can face barriers to access.

“Barriers to 988 awareness and 988 use might be greater in places with less access to mental health professionals, or limited internet, transportation challenges, or fewer trusted points of access to care,” says Saulnier.

According to Saulnier, the free confidential helpline works with trained mental health professionals to provide mostly talk therapy. However, they do work with crisis intervention teams or emergency responders in the case of suicide or serious concerns.

He also says people can call anonymously for themselves or others by calling or texting 9-8-8 or using the chat feature on the website 988lifeline.org.