Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention
Dedicated to promoting awareness, providing education, overcoming stigma, supporting survivors, and preventing suicides in Brown County.
- About Us
- Get Involved
- Resources
- Members
The Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention was formed in 2006 in response to the alarming number of deaths by suicide in Brown County. This dedicated group of survivors, professionals, and advocates in our community has since grown to more than 60 members and meets on a monthly basis.
The goal of the Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention is to promote awareness of suicide as a serious and preventable public health problem. By providing education, we aim to decrease the stigma associated with mental health and suicide. Our group engages in suicide prevention strategies through grass roots efforts. These efforts include suicide prevention training utilizing evidence-based programs like Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR); Signs of Suicide (SOS); HOPE Squad, and Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS).
Together, we are working towards the prevention of all suicides in Brown County and calling on the community at large to educate themselves about the warning signs of suicide and how they can help save a life.
Join the Coalition: All adults interested in working to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Brown County are welcome to attend our monthly meeting. The large group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 2-3:30 p.m. Active subcommittees focused on specific initiatives related to suicide prevention and community outreach meet at a variety of times throughout each month. For more information about the Coalition, please email [email protected].
Host a Suicide Prevention Training: Host a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training for your organization, workplace, club, or group. Trainings are free. To schedule, please contact the Coalition at [email protected]
a Gatekeeper: Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone to help. As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper, you will learn how to:
- Recognize the warning signs of suicide
- Offer hope
- Get help
- Save a life
To learn more about becoming a Gatekeeper, please call the Brown County Health Department at (920) 448-6400.
Be the Light Walk: This family-friendly event is held each September to reduce stigma and prevent suicide. The night concludes with a picturesque one-mile candlelight walk through Downtown Green Bay. To learn more about Be the Light Walk, click here.
Volunteer: Help survivors navigate after a suicide loss. For more information on Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS), contact Kim Sandstrom at [email protected]. For information on Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group, contact Anthony Klingert at [email protected].
Donate: You can support suicide prevention efforts in Brown County by making a tax deductible donation to the Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention. Bellin Health Foundation serves as the fiscal agent for the Coalition.
Mail Donations to:
The Bellin Health Foundation Attn: Amy Stach PO Box 23400 744 S. Webster Ave. Green Bay, WI 54305
*All checks must be made payable to the The Bellin Health Foundation with “Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention” entered in the memo line.
The following is a list of resources for suicide awareness and prevention in Brown County.
Coalition Events:
Resources available in Brown County and surrounding counties:
- Brown County United Way 2-1-1
- My Connection NEW
- Center for Suicide Awareness (HOPELINE)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Community Events & Support Group Meetings:
Gatekeeper Trainings & Peer Support Programs:
The Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention is comprised of individuals and organizations committed to the prevention of suicide.
Attention Survivors:
The Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention welcomes all community members invested in working to end suicide in our community to join our meetings and efforts. Survivors are critical members of our team. The Coalition is a task force, made up of a working committee and subcommittees. Though we support the important work of local support groups and treatment providers – the Coalition meetings themselves are not organized in a support group format and due to the content discussed, could be triggering. If you are at a place in your healing journey in which a support group would be a better fit, please contact Family Services’ Crisis Center at (920) 436-8888 for more information about these opportunities.
Please know that you are welcome, and it is ok if your needs change along the way. Your well being matters to us. Prior to attending a Coalition meeting, please contact Chairperson Kim Sandstrom or Vice Chairperson Jenny Younk at [email protected].
FAQs
-
What are the warning signs that someone may be struggling with thoughts of suicide?
-
Signs could be different for each person. If in doubt, you should always ask the person directly, “Are you thinking of suicide?”
General warning signs to watch for can include:
- Direct statements about suicide
- Withdrawl
- Loss of interest
- Self-destructive behavior
- Personality changes that are sudden and unexpected
- Giving away important possessions
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness
- Trouble sleeping, eating, or concentrating
-
What can I do to help prevent suicide?
-
Besides staying connected and in-tune with your loved ones (and connecting them to additional supports when needed), you can help everyone in your community by getting involved with the Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Join us each September of the Be the Light Walk. To learn more, visit bethelightwalk.com.
- Volunteer with us
- Become a certified Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainer. To get started, contact the Brown County Health Department at (920) 448-6400.
- Make a donation to support our efforts
- Participate in other community events related to suicide prevention.
-
Is suicide preventable?
-
Yes! Suicide is a preventable public health problem, and we need your help to stop it.
For more information about the Coalition or to become a member, please contact Chairperson Kim Sandstrom at [email protected].
Get Help Now
If you are contemplating suicide, or if you are concerned that a friend or family member may be contemplating suicide, please reach out to one of the resources listed below:
Crisis Center
Immediate assistance available 24/7 for residents living in Brown County. All services are free and confidential.
HOPELINE
An Emotional Support Text Line. Provides free and confidential services 24/7 throughout all of Wisconsin.
Lifeline Chat
Provides free and confidential support to anyone in distress nationwide at 1-800-273-8255 or via online chat.
Be the Light Walk
A family-friendly event hosted by the Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention every September to reduce stigma and prevent suicide.
“Growing up with depression and anxiety, I have often felt very alone because I thought I was the only one who struggled.
I never knew how to deal with it because I thought I was different for having strong emotions. I went through most of my life not knowing that others struggled with mental illness until I found Be the Light Walk. The Be the Light Walk was very welcoming to me, and getting to hear other people’s stories made me realize that many people deal with the same struggle that I do. I got to meet people who talked to me about their own struggles and what they did to get the help they needed. This not only helped me to realize that I am not alone, but it also helped me come to the conclusion that I needed more help than I was receiving. ”
— Be the Light Walk Participant