Rural Town in Crisis @ Carlton High and Middle School
(school student combined population approximately 350)
This was hosted on Saturday October 12, 2019 by Meghann Levitt - Northern Minnesota Suicide Prevention/Crisis Text Line Grant Planner, Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator
The Suicide Awareness Memorial Walk was held from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon which included a memorial walk, snacks & beverages in the gymnasium, speakers with personal stories related to mental illness, a NAMI speaker, and then myself about crisis resources in the area.
Kali Lamiao - Mental Health Professional @ Birch Tree Center - Duluth, MN
200 people of all ages came together during our first snowfall of the season, with a high of 32 degrees and a mix of snow/rain/sleet/wind, all to end the October mental health awareness week. Not even Mother Nature can stop us. According to the the hostesses Meghann Levitt, there has been an increase in suicide attempts, in particular of youth, within the area. Levitt, along with other groups, have come together to have this annual memorial walk continuing the pursuit in reducing stigma around mental health to keep everyone up-to-date on the resources available.
There are a variety of resources within the Twin Ports and rural Minnesota areas. Including text 4 life, Birch Tree Center (BTC) crisis line, and more. I have been at BTC since the official opening of the building in 2015. At the BTC crisis line, we attempt to help all of those in need 24/7. It could be for resources, to talk/have support for yourself or others, or even a crisis mental health assessment with a referral to an agency. For RCSS at BTC the stay is average 3-5 days and up to 10 maximum based on each individual situation. We attempt to assist in minimize the need for hospitalization and be that middle person to keep the individuals within their community living basis at a least restrictive way as possible.
After I presented, I was able to discuss any additional questions the attendees were having and provide additional resource materials at the booth, including pens and bracelets with the crisis line printed on them. The youngest individual that arrived to ask me questions was estimated to be 6 years old. Additionally, there was a couple that arrived to discuss concerns about their cousin, whom they are the primary assisting relatives of and assist with preventative measures when Bipolar symptoms are unmanageable as the hospital hasn’t helped him much in the past. There were also other agencies such as NAMI and school counselors/interns that were interested in the services and obtained posters, pens and especially bracelets as the youth tend to appreciate these the most.
After being able to increase the amount of networking recently, it is apparent that there are resources continuing to be created to assist with mental health in rural areas that all may not be aware of.
Some of these resources for Minnesota include:
Birch Tree Center Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7): 218-623-1800 press 2
Wellness in the Woods warm line by peer supports: Support line is staffed 5:00 pm to 9:00 am daily at (844) 739-6369.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7): Call: 800-273-8255 (Veterans, press 1)
MN Farm and Rural Helpline (24/7): 833-600-2670 x 1
MN Day One Crisis Hotline (for those experiencing: domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual violence, human trafficking or simply questioning aspects of your relationship) (24/7): 1-866-223-1111
MN Crisis Text Line (24/7): text ‘MN’ to 741741