Healthy Communities

Josh Williams

Addressing the Gap: The need for increased mental health support for LGBTQ Michiganders

With all the positive work being done, the fact remains that 51% of LGBTQ Youth in Michigan are afraid to talk about their mental health with someone else. 

Latest in Healthy Communities
Kristin Graham, principal of Macatawa Bay Middle School, confers with a student.
Successful suicide prevention protocol expands from Corewell hospitals to Western Michigan schools

The Blue Envelope program trains all school employees how to respond to a student expressing thoughts of suicide, and assigns interventions based on the student's risk level.

Kristin Graham
West Ottawa, other area schools adopting successful suicide prevention protocol

The Blue Envelope program trains all school employees how to respond to a student expressing thoughts of suicide, and assigns interventions based on the student's risk level.

Sanilac County Community Mental Health helps families and children

Currently, SCCMH is serving 275 children who live with serious emotional disorders or developmental disabilities along with their families.

John Fuse, Community Health Worker with the Berrien County Health Department, stands outside the department’s building in Benton Harbor.
Community Health Workers: Michigan’s public health messengers

Community health workers perform essential roles in delivering physical and mental health care and increasing health care access for Michigan residents. 

Rochelle Riley presenting at the 2023 gala.
Autism Alliance of Michigan gala will help build “A Brighter Tomorrow”

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is hosting its 13th annual Michigan Shines for Autism Gala on Saturday, April 20 at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. This year’s theme is “A Brighter Tomorrow.” 

Amber Desgranges and Rachel Ruddock of the Michigan Primary Care Association.
New initiative offers Michigan nursing students opportunity to build careers in underserved areas

The Michigan Primary Care Association is collaborating with nine of Michigan’s state universities to provide nursing students with opportunities to train in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.

How 2 farms preserved agricultural legacy amidst push for development

Owning a family farm in one of Michigan’s fastest-growing counties means that there’s pressure to turn agricultural land into residential. An Ottawa County program helped protect these farms from development.   

Mapping a better future for broadband in Michigan

State and nonprofit officials are encouraging local governments and residents to review a map of internet coverage in Michigan. The goal is to prioritize underserved areas and use federal dollars to expand and improve internet infrastructure. 

Part of the streetscape of downtown Wayland.
What’s all the hype about Wayland?

Allegan County community receives $25,000 state grant to help "hype" its downtown, attracting more visitors and boosting its image on social media.

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