With September being Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is important to know what mental health resources are available locally.
In 2023, 921 people lost their battle with depression and suicidal thoughts throughout Wisconsin, and a 37-year-old Sheboygan County man recently joined that group.
The easiest way for anyone struggling to get assistance is by calling or texting 988, the national suicide prevention lifeline.
There are also several local organizations that offer mental health services, including the Lighthouse Recovery Community Center, which has locations at 1014 North 6th Street in Sheboygan and at 818 State Street in Manitowoc.
Mental Health America Lakeshore is located at 410 South Milwaukee Street in Plymouth, which promotes health and wellness through education, prevention, programming, advocacy, and other resources.
The United Way branches in Manitowoc and Sheboygan can also offer assistance, located at 202 Erie Avenue in Sheboygan and 33 Waldo Blvd, Suite 2 in Manitowoc.
Other available resources include CORE Treatment Services and NAMI Manitowoc County in Manitowoc, each of which can be contacted through their websites and social media pages.
It’s also important to take note of how your friends, family, and coworkers are acting. Any sudden changes in attitude or actions, including alcohol or substance abuse or even a sudden burst of happiness after a stretch of sadness, can all be signs that something is wrong.
If you believe someone is in danger of hurting themselves, the best course of action is to directly ask them if they are planning on hurting themselves.
It is taught in nearly all suicide prevention programs that you will not put the idea into their mind.
If they confirm your fears, be sure to stay with them and either take them to a hospital or mental health treatment facility, or call 911 for more help.
For more information on suicide prevention, visit DHS.Wisconsin.gov.
