Suicide on the rise in Washtenaw, suicide by firearms especially an issue in rural areas
Firearm suicide rates in Washtenaw County tended to be higher in more rural parts of the county. Screenshot of slide from “Firearm Death in Washtenaw County” March 2023 presentation to the Washtenaw County Board of Health showing the rate of suicides by firearms in Washtenaw County, by ZIP Code, between 2011 and 2022. This slide and data are preliminary. The Health Department will be releasing finalized slides with more data.
by Sara Swanson
The Washtenaw County Health Department has released a new Suicide Report detailing recent local suicide data trends. Suicide death rates have been increasing since 2000 at the county, state, and national levels.
“Washtenaw County has had lower suicide rates compared to Michigan and the U.S.,” says Shannon Phillips, Master of Public Health, Washtenaw County Health Department epidemiologist. “Unfortunately, this gap has been narrowing in the last few years, as suicide rates in Washtenaw County seem to be increasing faster than state and national trends.”
In 2021, 47 Washtenaw County residents died by suicide. Males made up 81% of those deaths. This overrepresentation of males among suicide completions is consistent with state and national trends.
From 2019 to 2021, 82% of Washtenaw County residents who died by suicide identified as White and 17% identified as part of another racial group (this included Black/African American, Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and other — not including those of unknown race).
Individuals under the age of 25 had the lowest rate of suicides from 2017 to 2021, but with a slightly increasing trend since 2017. The rate of suicide completions among residents over the age of 65 has increased over the last few years. This age group has the highest rate of suicide completions from 2018 to 2020.
Firearms were the most common method of suicide completion among Washtenaw County residents overall from 2019 to 2021, but especially for older residents. Firearms were used more than 50% of the time for residents 45 and older and 58% of the time for 45- to 64-year-olds. They were also used more often by men, with 47% of men who died by suicide in the county from 2019 to 2022 using firearms compared to 30% of women.
The data from the suicide report shows suicides in the county are on average male, white, and older, and that the majority use a firearm. There is also data that shows that suicides with firearms in the county trended rural.
In addition to the suicide report, in March the County Board of Health received a presentation on firearm deaths in Washtenaw County between 2011 and 2022 looking at firearm homicides and suicides. Of particular note for our area in the presentation was that homicides and suicides by firearm were clustered geographically in the county. Homicides by firearm were clustered on the eastern side of the county and suicides by firearm were clustered in the rural parts of the county. So while there were no firearm homicides in the Manchester ZIP Code between 2011 and 2022, Manchester and Milan had the highest rates of suicide by firearm, when adjusted for population, in the county.
“Every life lost to suicide is deeply felt in our community,” says Laura Bauman, MPH, Washtenaw County Health Department epidemiology program manager. “Suicide is preventable and support is available. We encourage everyone to check in with their loved ones and have honest conversations about mental health. If you need help, please reach out to a friend, family member, or professional. Mental health support and treatment can save lives.”
Overall suicide death rates for Washtenaw County were not substantially impacted by the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for residents under 25 years old, the number and rate of suicide completions doubled from 2019 to 2020 and then decreased slightly in 2021. This data may suggest that the first year of the pandemic had a bigger impact on youth mental health than other age groups in the county.
Local suicide prevention work is ongoing. The Wish You Knew Washtenaw campaign works to reduce stigma and promote resources for youth mental health. Driven by community conversations and funded by the Washtenaw County Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage, the campaign aims to spark honest and supportive conversations about mental health between youth and adults. Washtenaw Alive is the suicide prevention planning collaborative of Washtenaw County. The coalition meets virtually on Zoom every third Thursday of the month at 12pm. New members, collaborators, and guest speakers are always welcome.
Suicide prevention resources
Suicide is preventable and help is available. Anyone in Washtenaw County can call the Community Mental Health CARES team 24/7 with any mental health questions or concerns: (734) 544-3050. If you feel suicidal, call 988, text 988, or visit https://988lifeline.org/chat/ for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HELLO to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
It’s important to know the warning signs for those at risk of suicide, including:
- Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless or having no purpose, feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, or being a burden to others
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
If someone you know shows warning signs of suicide, assume you are the only one who will reach out. Take them seriously, talk to them in private, and ask directly if they are thinking about suicide. See more recommendations on what to do if someone is at risk for suicide here.
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