The number of suicides each year continues to increase in Michigan at an alarming rate.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports between 1999 and 2016 Michigan’s suicide rate increased by 33 percent.

State Senator Ed McBroom is supporting legislation that would create a commission to study the causes and underlying factors of suicide in the state.

The Suicide Prevention Commission would bring together state resources to examine data and make recommendations for a coordinated approach to help prevent this crisis.

Senate Bill 228 has received the support of numerous health and law enforcement organizations and has been sent to the State House for consideration.