Alpena, MI – Michigan State Police announced the conclusion of a statewide initiative aimed at engaging students in violence prevention and mental health awareness, wrapping up its final Youth Violence Prevention Summit in Alpena today.
According to the Michigan State Police, the summit held Wednesday marked the seventh and final event in a series launched last April, collectively reaching nearly 800 high school students across Michigan. Additional summits were hosted in Warren, Flint, Grand Rapids, Livonia, Lansing and Detroit.
The one-day summit, organized by the Office of School Safety, brought together students, law enforcement officials and mental health professionals for discussions centered on violence prevention, digital safety, leadership and overall well-being. The collaborative format allowed students to actively participate in conversations and gain insight from professionals in multiple fields.
Post-event survey results indicated strong engagement from attendees. Officials said 100% of students who completed the survey reported the summit helped improve their understanding of school safety, youth violence and mental health topics. Additionally, 99.5% said they learned something new, with many identifying suicide prevention as one of the most impactful themes discussed.
Michigan State Police Director Col. James F. Grady II emphasized the importance of student involvement in shaping safer communities. He noted that hearing directly from young people plays a critical role in developing effective solutions.
Funding for the initiative was provided through a fiscal year 2023 appropriation to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission, supporting efforts to expand outreach and education among students statewide.
Officials have not yet announced whether the program will continue or expand in the coming year.
