Join the Fight to Help Reduce Suicide

September Is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Let’s Stand Together — Grand Rapids Edition

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a vital opportunity to raise awareness, share hope, and activate support within our communities. At Amplified Life, we believe awareness leads to healing—and connection can truly be life-saving.

Local Snapshot: Why Grand Rapids Needs This Conversation

• In Kent County (home to Grand Rapids), suicide rates have steadily climbed over recent years—except for a small dip in 2019 (from 97 to 87 cases), the trend has pointed upward, especially among young adults aged 18–39, who accounted for 46% of suicides during that dip year. For every completed suicide, an estimated 25 attempts occur.
  
  

• On average, suicide rates in Michigan reached approximately 14.7 per 100,000 people in 2022, marking a 32.4% increase over the past two decades —placing us slightly above the national average
  
  

• Researchers at Grand Valley State University highlighted the growing mental health crisis in West Michigan: during the pandemic, emergency mental health visits nearly matched Detroit’s levels—and the statewide suicide rate edged above the U.S. average at 14.3 per 100,000 

These sobering trends underscore the urgent need for compassion, awareness, and accessible support right here in our backyard.

 

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Ideas That Can Make a Difference

Recognize Warning Signs with IS PATH WARM?

Watch for essential warning indicators using this helpful mnemonic:

• Ideation — talking about wanting to die
  
  

• Substance abuse
  
  

• Purposelessness
  
  

• Anxiety
  
  

• Trapped
  
  

• Hopelessness
  
  

• Withdrawal
  
  

• Anger
  
  

• Recklessness
  
  

• Mood changes 

What You Can Do — Everyday Actions That Matter

• Reach out compassionately — Acknowledge struggles with genuine listening, not judgment.
  
  

• Talk openly about suicide — Conversations reduce stigma and offer relief. Silence can leave people feeling isolated.
  
  

• Share resources boldly — Remind people they’re not alone (see hotline info below).
  
  

• Promote hope — Share stories of resilience, recovery, and mental health journeys.
  
  

• Get trained — Consider QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) or mental health first aid to feel equipped in crisis situations
  
  

Amplified Life’s Supportive Reminders

• You do not have to face this alone.
  
  

• Asking “Are you okay?” can open the door to healing.
  
  

• Small acts of care—texts, chats, money—notices—can hold someone through a dark moment.
  
  

 

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Essential Helplines & Local Support in Grand Rapids

• National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988 — 24/7, confidential assistance
  
  

• Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health): Call 616‑336‑3909 — immediate local crisis support
  
  

• Additional resources:
  
  

• West Michigan Survivors of Suicide Loss (support groups)
  
  

• Pine Rest Mental Health Urgent Care
  
  

• “I Understand: Love Heals” – local educational and support network
  
  

 

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Your Call to Compassion

This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, let’s reaffirm our commitment—to notice, to listen, to step in with kindness, and to stand stronger together.

Amplified Life stands with you—and together, we can be the change that turns pain into possibility.

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