September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge those who have experienced suicidal thoughts and the many individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It is an opportunity to unite our community by learning more about suicide awareness, and most importantly, open the dialogue about suicide. Talking about suicide or our mental health can be uncomfortable. However, this public health campaign provides a platform to empower people; to show that it is okay to reach out when they need the support of others.
Everyone has mental health - a general state of well-being -something that should be looked after (just like your physical health). Anyone can experience a crisis – a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. A crisis can disrupt your mental state and interrupt how you feel, think, communicate, and behave. It looks and feels different for everyone and we need to reach out if we see someone struggling. The more we can talk about concerns of our mental health or thoughts of suicide, the more we can reduce the stigma and encourage people that it is okay to get help.
“Live in the Path of HOPE” is Glacial Lakes SAFE’s Annual Suicide Awareness Event and Remembrance Ceremony. This year it will be held on Saturday, September 14 at the BG Ernie Edwards Watertown Readiness Center (National Guard building). This is a FREE event for all ages. This is an opportunity for our community 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. There is a 22-mile Ruck around the lake that morning, activities and games beginning at 2pm; and a 5K run and 1-mile walk at 3:00pm. The Remembrance ceremony will begin at 4:30pm with a speaker; followed by honoring our loved ones who died by suicide. Anyone is welcome to attend the events that day.
Watertown has many great resources for mental health assistance as well as education in self-care and recognizing warning signs of a crisis. We believe that for Watertown to be a healthy and thriving community, we need to bring the community together with a common language to remove the stigma of talking about mental health, and receiving help; and to prevent a mental health crisis together. The purpose of the Glacial Lakes Suicide Awareness For Everyone (SAFE) Coalition of the Human Service Agency is to help raise local awareness of suicide and to support preventative measures for Watertown and the surrounding communities.
For resources visit
www.humanserviceagency.org/glsafe. If you or someone you know is in crisis call 988, 911, or 605-886-0123.