Grand Rapids-based Hope Network will utilize a $600,000 Mental Health Awareness Training Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration training 5,000 people over the next three years to respond to mental health and substance abuse challenges.
The federal grant will assist Hope Network in its effort to make suicide prevention a routine part of healthcare, building off its Zero Suicide Initiative supporting at-risk individuals.
This comes as West Michigan counties are reporting an uptick in suicide rates. Kent County recorded 99 suicide deaths in 2023, the highest annual count in the past decade.
A recent Ottawa County report shows 29 residents died by suicide in 2025, up from 25 in 2024. The report also shows suicide rates were highest among white male veterans aged 50 or older.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7.
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