Washtenaw County's suicide rate fell 12% from 2024 to 2025, reaching its lowest level since 2018, according to a new report from the county Health Department.

The report, released Wednesday, Sept. 9, during National Suicide Prevention Month, shows 36 county residents died by suicide in 2025. The preliminary rate of 9.7 per 100,000 residents is well below the most recent Michigan and national rates, both 14.5 per 100,000 in 2024.

"Our hope is that this report can inform prevention efforts and raise awareness of the importance of local mental health resources," Patty Krause, a community health analyst with the Health Department, said in a statement.

The county's overall rate meets the Healthy People 2030 national target of 12.8 per 100,000. But the picture varies by zip code.

Manchester (48158) had the highest rate in the county, exceeding that target in both the 2022–2024 and 2023–2025 periods. Dexter (48130) saw the sharpest improvement, with its rate dropping 50% between those same periods.

Demographic patterns in the data reflect broader national trends. Men accounted for 77% of suicide deaths from 2023 to 2025, while women made up 53% of non-fatal attempts. White residents represented 87% of deaths during that period, compared with 74% of the county's population according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The report also found that the overall rate of suicide attempts rose in 2025, climbing from 15.5 per 10,000 in 2024 to 17.3 per 10,000. Girls and young women ages 10 to 24 consistently had the highest attempt rate in the county.

Susan Ringler Cerniglia, the Health Department's communications and community health promotion administrator, urged residents to learn warning signs and reach out for help. She said in a statement that mental health treatment and support can save lives and that there are steps everyone can take to look out for each other.

The Health Department highlighted several local resources. The Wish You Knew campaign, funded by the Washtenaw County Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage, works to reduce mental health stigma among youth and families. Free gun locks are available at the Health Department office at 555 Towner St. in Ypsilanti during business hours.

Washtenaw Alive, the county's suicide prevention coalition facilitated by the Health Department, meets virtually on Zoom every third Thursday of the month at noon. New members are welcome.

All 2025 data in the report is preliminary and subject to change. The full report is available at washtenaw.org/suicide.

Community resources: Anyone in Washtenaw County can call Community Mental Health 24/7 at 734-544-3050 with mental health questions or concerns.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.