To break the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health, the best place to start could be with a single step. Prevent Suicide-Door County will host its annual Walk for Hope and Awareness on Sept. 13, beginning at 1 p.m. at Sawyer Park in Sturgeon Bay.
According to USAFacts.com, 920 Wisconsinites died by suicide in 2024, representing a suicide rate of 14.8 deaths per 100,000 people, which exceeds the national average. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that more than 90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and potentially treatable mental health condition, although the condition often goes unrecognized or untreated.
A simple conversation about mental health could make a difference.
“Our goal is to break the stigma, to get the word out there. If we don't talk about it, it still becomes a hidden thing in our county,” said Prevent Suicide-Door County Secretary and member April Grosbeier. “We really need to talk about it because it's here, it's not going away, it's not getting better.”
The event will feature local counselor and licensed clinical social worker Kathy Bandstra, MSW, LCSW, as a guest speaker. Bandstra will address the crowd at 1:30 p.m. before the walk officially begins at 2 p.m. Walkers are encouraged to bring a large picture of a loved one that they can affix to their shirt or to a banner at the park.
You can find more details about the walk here.
