(WWJ) – Health officials in Washtenaw County say there has been a large increase in gun-related deaths over the last decade plus – and many of them have been suicides.
A report released this week shows there was a 74% increase in firearm deaths from the five-year period of 2012-2016 to 2017-2021.
Washtenaw County Health Department medical director Juan Marquez says the report “illustrates what many of our community members already know: gun violence is a serious public health issue in Washtenaw.”
Officials say the multi-year analysis is on-par with statewide and national trends, but the alarming part of the report is 70% of gun-related deaths in the county between 2011-2022 were suicides.
The second five-year period analyzed saw a 44% increase in suicides, while homicides increased by 200%.
Most of the suicides happened in rural areas of the county, officials said.
This proportion of suicides is slightly higher than in Michigan overall, where 59% of firearm deaths are classified as suicides, according to the report.
“It is important to develop and support community-wide violence prevention strategies,” said Jimena Loveluck, MSW, Washtenaw County Health Department health officer. “These local data affirm the importance of collective action to interrupt violence and save lives.”
The county offers suicide prevention resources, including the Community Mental Health CARES team, available at 734-544-3050.
Officials say 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.
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.
The full Washtenaw County report is available on the county's website.
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