LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The number of children in Michigan whose parents have died as a result of an overdose, suicide, or homicide is on the rise, according to a study by the University of Michigan.

Sean Esteban McCabe, a professor in the U-M School of Nursing and lead author of the study, said Michigan has a higher parental mortality rate compared to the rest of the country.

U-M reports that the goal of the study was to "provide bereavement services to the children left behind in the areas that need it most."

"Parental deaths from overdoses, homicides, suicides, and other substance-related causes are associated with more adverse health outcomes and higher rates of early mortality in their children, so more attention is needed in this area, because no child should ever have to grieve a

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