gjaehnig@mininggazette.com
HOUGHTON A May 3, 2021, social post published by the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office criticized Michigan for its lack of mental health care access, along with an appeal to the public:
“We are asking that you help us start the discussion locally, contact your state representatives, contact your mental health board and help us figure out how we can fix this problem,” the appeal read. “These are our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters who are crying out for help. We owe it to ourselves to make a change.”
Unfortunately, finding a solution to the problem may be more complicated than it may appear. In Michigan, as well as across the nation, there are several factors that inhibit access to behavioral health care, including many of those in need, or who qualify for financial assistance for it, simply do not not want it. But there is more.
gjaehnig@mininggazette.com
HOUGHTON In a recent press release, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, “I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Michigan.”
In her 12-point proclamation, the governor went on to say that “all individuals can experience times of difficulty and stress in their lives and should feel comfortable in seeking help and support to manage these times.”
She also stated that the various challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, including isolation, loss of income, fear, and bereavement, have significantly contributed to declining levels of mental health in children, teens, and adults in our state. In most state documents, there is noticeable language that uses behavioral health and mental health interchangeably.
ACCESS receives $75,000 in grant money for suicide prevention Posted: Thursday 05.06.2021 1:00 pm Revised: Friday 05.07.2021 1:00 pm
DEARBORN The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), is one of nine organizations to receive suicide prevention grants.
The funding totals $650,000 and is coming from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Children’s Foundation and the Detroit-based Ethel and James Finn Foundation.
The funding is aimed at helping establish the Suicide Prevention Support for Health Care Clinics Working with Michigan’s Health-Disparate Populations initiative.
Mona Makki, director of the Community Health and Research Center at ACCESS, said the initiative and funding fits right into what ACCESS is doing already.
1 dead in head-on collision in Detroit, city expands Good Neighbor program, showers expected for Monday
Published
1 dead, 2 injured in deadly crash in Detroit
Police say a woman driving the wrong way down Outer Drive without her headlights on crashed head-on into a Malibu carrying two other women. The jaws of life were needed to rescue the victims.
Around 3:30 a.m., a woman driving a Jaguar down the wrong way on Outer Drive without her headlights on crashed head-on with another sedan.
The crash killed one woman and injured two others, who were taken to a hospital with an unknown amount of injuries.
Grants awarded for suicide prevention programs in Michigan
Associated Press
DETROIT Nine organizations across Michigan will share $650,000 for suicide prevention programs.
The funding is from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Children s Foundation, and the Detroit-based Ethel and James Flinn Foundation.
It will establish the Suicide Prevention Support for Health Care Clinics Working with Michigan s Health-Disparate Populations initiative.
The program offers grants to develop evidence-based and sustainable programming aimed at decreasing the rate of suicide attempts and deaths by identifying children or adults who may be at risk. The program also will address their needs for appropriate medical, social and behavioral services, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.