Mental Health Awareness: Support Starts with a Conversation
Mental health is just as important as physical health—and it affects individuals, families, and communities across Michigan. Mental Health Awareness is a reminder that no one has to navigate challenges alone. Whether someone is experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or simply needs someone to talk to, support is available.
Stigma around mental health can often prevent people from seeking help. By normalizing conversations and showing support, we can create spaces where individuals feel safe reaching out and accessing the care they need. A simple check-in with a friend, coworker, or loved one can go a long way in reducing isolation and building connection.
If you or someone you know needs support, free and confidential resources are available:
Reaching out is a sign of strength. Together, we can reduce stigma and build healthier, more supportive communities across Michigan.
Children Trust Michigan Leads the Way in Child Abuse Prevention
Each April, Children Trust Michigan leads the state’s recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of supporting families before challenges turn into crises.
As Michigan’s designated child abuse prevention organization, Children Trust Michigan invests in community-based programs and Family Resource Centers that provide essential supports to families across all 83 counties. These include access to basic needs like food, diapers, and safe sleep resources, along with parenting education, early childhood development, and connections to local services.
While these supports may seem simple, they play a critical role. By reducing family stress, increasing protective factors, and strengthening connections, these programs help prevent neglect and abuse before it occurs.
Throughout April, Children Trust Michigan encourages communities to take part by sharing the Governor’s Proclamation and participating in National Wear Blue Day, a visible show of support for safe, stable, and nurturing families.
Child abuse prevention starts with all of us—but it’s efforts like these that make a lasting impact. When families are supported, children—and communities—thrive
Learn More
To Report Child Abuse or Neglect Call 855-444-3911
Michigan Overdose Prevention Coalition (MOPC)
The Michigan Overdose Prevention Coalition (MOPC) is offering a series of free, public learning opportunities focused on harm reduction and overdose prevention across Michigan. These sessions provide practical insights into why harm reduction matters and how communities can take action to address the opioid crisis.
MOPC also offers recorded webinars on advocacy and working with the media, giving prevention professionals and community members tools to strengthen their impact. With overdose continuing to affect communities statewide, these resources support efforts to reduce stigma, expand access to lifesaving strategies, and promote healthier communities.
Did You Know? One Vape Can Equal Hundreds of Cigarettes
Coalitions across Michigan are using innovative, hands-on displays to help communities better understand the impact of vaping. By comparing the nicotine content in a disposable e-cigarette to traditional cigarettes, these visuals bring awareness to how much nicotine a single device may contain.
In some cases, one disposable vape can equal over 200–300 cigarettes, depending on the product size and nicotine concentration. This estimate is based on calculations used by researchers at Stanford Medicine REACH Lab, which compare the total nicotine in a vape to the average amount absorbed from a traditional cigarette.
For example:
- A typical disposable vape may contain 5% nicotine (50 mg/mL) × ~5–6 mL of liquid = 250–300 mg of nicotine total
- Divided by ~1 mg absorbed per cigarette = 250–300 cigarettes worth of nicotine
Coalitions can use replica materials and tailor comparisons based on products commonly seen in their communities. Whether used in classrooms, community events, or prevention presentations, this approach helps spark meaningful conversations and supports informed decision-making.
Stanford REACH Lab, Theory-based and evidence-informed resources created by educators, parents, and researchers aimed at preventing middle and high school students’ use of cannabis/marijuana.
at stanfordreachlab@stanford.edu.
Huge study finds no evidence cannabis helps anxiety, depression, or PTSD
The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise.
University of Sydney. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.h
This Tobacco Prevention Toolkit, developed by the Stanford REACH Lab, is comprised of a collection of curriculums, lessons, programs, and resources catered to prevent and reduce adolescent and young adult tobacco/nicotine use. While there are some crossovers between our toolkits, our intent is to keep everything packaged and easy for educators, parents, and the like to navigate our resources.
For any questions or concerns please contact us directly at stanfordreachlab@stanford.edu.
Mini-Grant Opportunity from Tobacco-Free Michigan
Deadline to submit is May 1, 2026
Tobacco-Free Michigan is offering mini-grants to members and partners for projects to reduce the disparity in tobacco impact between different ethnic/demographic groups, engage youth in the tobacco free movement, increase public awareness of ENDS or serve as a pilot for a project that could reduce the impact that tobacco has on the public health of your community. The maximum request that will be considered is $10,000. All money must be spent by September 30, 2026.
Applications can be found here.
