State To Mark Suicide Prevention Week

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stress-safe-2

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared September 6 through September 12 Suicide Prevention Week. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin tells WSJM News with the pandemic going on, state health officials know more people are thinking about suicide.

“We have our COVID-19 hotline which also connects into a crisis counselling hotline, our warm line, and we are definitely getting calls from individuals in Michigan who are concerned, who do have stressors going on in their life,” Sutfin said.

Sutfin says those stressors include financial hardship, worries about illness, and depression about being locked down. The state urges everyone to watch for warning signs of suicide in their loved ones.

“Feeling of hopelessness, threatening or talking about wanting to hurt one’s self, suddenly they may not be interested in activities or they’re withdrawing from family and friends. There might be changes in their eating and sleeping habits, and they might be turning to alcohol and drugs.”

Sutfin says there are plenty of places to turn for those who need help. First, there’s the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK. Michigan has also launched a mental health service which you can find at Michigan.gov/StayWell. The state notes suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in Michigan, and a top five leading cause among individuals who are 10 to 54 years old.