The Copper Country says its Okay, to not be Okay

Copper Shores Health Foundation’s 8th annual suicide prevention walk wants people to know it’s okay, to not be okay. Suicide has many contributing factors. But, one of the hardest hurdles can be reaching out for help. Throughout the Copper Country several agencies partner to organize the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Copper Shores does hold the meetings, but several local organizations come together. So there are different representatives, whether it’s Copper Country Mental Health, the Health Department, or Unite. Sometimes we have local sheriff deputies, and local police officers that come and join the big organization. And then we have our subgroup for the walk itself because this is the biggest event that we do each year. – Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Specialist, Copper Shores Outreach & Education

Before the actual walk for suicide prevention, Youth Development Specialist Callisto Cortez shared her own experiences with suicide. She says she hopes people take away from her presentation that it is okay to ask for help. No matter what the circumstances are.

It’s okay to reach out, that if you have lost someone from suicide, your grief is shared, that it is a very hard and devastating thing to go through, but you are not alone. You have support. You have people willing to listen and actively listen to you when you are struggling. So I think that’s the takeaway. – Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Specialist, Copper Shores Outreach & Education

Saturday also included fun crafts and games for kids and families, as well as a raffle with gift certificates from area business sponsors. After Cortez’s presentation, the community walked from Ray Kestner Park to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge to bring awareness to suicide prevention. When the group returned to the park several attendees joined together to send off bubbles in memory of those that have died by suicide.

The Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission annual report from 2023 counted more than 1400 suicides in 2021; nearly 100 more than in 2020.

Organizations a part of the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition include the Copper Country ISD, Keweenaw Support for Healthy Minds, the BKG Shelter Home, Copper Country Community Mental Health, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, and Copper Shores Outreach and Education.

Those in need of suicide prevention services or mental health counseling can contact 9-8-8 for the suicide and crisis lifeline in Michigan.