Glacial Lakes SAFE's Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk and Remembrance Ceremony is coming up on Sunday, September 10th! But did you know this group offers so much more for our community?
Glacial Lakes SAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone) was founded in January 2015. They strive to bring the community together with common language to remove the stigma of talking about mental health and receiving help, and to work to prevent a mental health crisis all together. They raise local awareness of suicide and support preventative measures for Watertown and the surrounding communities. The group provides FREE resources, print material, and tools for the different groups within our community. And last, but certainly not least, provide support to survivors.
In 2022, The SAFE coalition partnered with the public affairs and communications agency, and received financial support from the Watertown Area Community Foundation and South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health, to develop an educational and communications campaign. This campaign provides specific variations of FREE resources, print material, tools for the different groups within our community to address suicide prevention. Through another grant and local donations, SAFE was able to develop an app to make these resources even more accessible.
The coalition hosts an annual Suicide Awareness event themed “Live in the Path of Hope,” It will be held on Sunday, September 10
th at the National Guard building. This is a
FREE event for all ages to join together to learn more about suicide awareness, and most importantly, open the dialogue about suicide with the purpose of bringing healing and hope to all who participate.
Learn more
The coalition is managed by Human Service Agency's Kelli Rumpza. When asked to describe their important work, Kelli said "So many great community organizations have helped make SAFE’s mission to keep our youth and young adults healthy and safe a possibility. No one entity can do it alone."
"The members of SAFE appreciate all of partners in this journey," continued Kelli. "Our partners work together to provide training and presentations for those who may come into contact with someone having thoughts of suicide; train peers and co-workers to notice the signs; increase awareness of the mental health resources and services available; and to encourage anyone that it is ok to reach out to someone if you are concerned about them."
Kelli and SAFE members have contributed to Codington Connects from the beginning. They wish community members knew the dedication and commitment of many community organizations and individuals who care about our families in Codington County. "We are working together to provide resources and opportunities."
This meaningful community coalition has contributed a lot of dedicated and passionate hours. "Mental Health and Suicide Awareness has come so far, but we look forward to seeing the change we can make in the future."
If you would like to be involved in SAFE please call the Human Service Agency at 605-886-0123 or visit
www.humanserviceagency.org/glsafe