Tag: Prevention

MDHHS Seeks Proposals for Primary Substance Abuse Prevention Programs for Youth  

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released a grant funding opportunity March 4 to provide support to organizations implementing primary substance use prevention programs for children and youth.   

The goal of this program is to support organizations to deliver primary prevention programs that prevent youth, ages 12 to 17, from partaking in alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Some programming ideas include increasing access to extracurricular activities, helping youth develop decision-making skills and other protective factors.  

This funding opportunity is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, private and public entities, local health departments, federally recognized tribes, or an Urban Indian Health Clinic program and universities.  

Funding is provided through the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund. These funds are from a nationwide settlement with pharmaceutical distributors. The state plans to receive $1.8 billion from the settlement by 2040. Funds plan to be distributed to the state and directly to county, city and township governments.  

Members are encouraged to join the pre-application conference scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, March 9.  

Applications are due by 3 p.m. April 2 via EGrAMS. More information about this funding opportunity can be found on the EGrAMS website under “Current Grants” then “Specialty Behavioral Health Services” and finally selecting the “PSUPS-2026” grant program.   

Members with questions may contact the MHA policy team. 

Corewell Health Suicide Care & Prevention Team Receives MHA Advancing Safe Care Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality, News Releases
mha advancing safe care award
MHA CEO Brian Peters, Amy Brown, chief nursing officer, MHA and Gary Roth, chief medical officer, MHA pictured with members of Corewell Health’s Suicide Care and Prevention Team.

The MHA announced the winner of its 2025 Advancing Safe Care Award April 28, honoring Corewell Health’s suicide care and prevention team. The award was announced during the MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium.

The MHA Advancing Safe Care Award honors healthcare teams within MHA-member hospitals that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to providing quality care, show evidence of an improved safety culture and demonstrate transparency in their efforts to improve healthcare.

Corewell Health’s behavioral health department launched the Suicide Care & Prevention Team (SPCT) to reduce patient deaths by suicide through increased screening, risk assessment and connectivity with appropriate interventions and services.

The team’s efforts have led to a reduction in suicide deaths – lower than state and national averages. While deaths by suicide were down by 0.89% in Michigan and by 2.53% nationally between 2017 and 2020, Corewell Health in West Michigan saw a 21.64% decrease. When suicide rates increased post-pandemic, deaths in Michigan and nationally were up 5.01% and 4.63% respectively from 2017 to 2023. However, Corewell Health in West Michigan maintained a slight decrease of 0.75%.

“We are so grateful for this recognition for our efforts to decrease suicide deaths,” said Natalia Szczygiel, vice president of behavioral health operations, Corewell Health. “Corewell Health in West Michigan currently administers over 1.2 million suicide screenings, 12,500 safety plans and 10,800 lethal means reduction conversations annually. We are here to care for our patients mind and body.”

The group integrated suicide prevention measures into all aspects of care throughout the system with a focus on accessible training and resources for staff interacting with patients. The SPCT spearheaded the integration of suicide risk assessments into the organization’s electronic health records system and facilitated efforts for improved suicide care workflows within the inpatient, emergency room, primary care and pediatric care settings.

Leaders across the system monitor the organization’s prevention efforts via the SPCT’s suicide prevention dashboard, which tracks screenings, assessments and support services offered.

Members may access further details about the Corewell Health Suicide Care and Prevention Team online.