Photo Manitowoc Public Library
The Manitowoc Public Library will be continuing their Domestic Issues Series on Monday, with a presentation called “It’s Ok Not to be Ok”. Argyle, WI native Jeff Ditzenberger will be the presenter, and he has a long history with the topic of the presentation, suicide and mental health.
Back in the early 90’s Jeff attempted to take his own life by starting an abandoned house on fire, with him in it. He survived and had a change in perspective. “After being charged with arson, and going through a few more years of trying to get help, I got the opportunity in 2013 to talk at Dane County’s Guys Night Out. One of the big pushes around that time was to get guys to talk about that terrible F word called feelings.”
While at that presentation, Jeff came up with the idea for starting a non-profit organization, which aims to help others that were in his situation. Jeff served in the US Navy for a time and recalled how a tug boat had to help the larger ships back into port. That’s how he came up with the name of his organization called TUGS which stands for Talking, Understanding, Growing, and Supporting. Jeff told SeehaferNews.com that their tagline is “Even big ships need small ships sometimes.”
In his presentation, Jeff will talk about the rural community, and how the current financial climate is affecting farmer’s mental health. He says that one of the biggest challenges in rural communities is the lack of mental health professionals to talk to and the stigma around suicide. Jeff said “It’s kinda scary that in 2019 there are still people that don’t want to talk to you” about your mental health and what you are going through.
“It’s OK Not to be OK” will be held in the Balkansky Community Room at the library on Monday. The presentation will begin at 6:00 PM. To learn more about TUGS, email Jeff at jditz4440@gmail.com
