September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and communities across the nation take this month to inform the public about suicide prevention.

In 2017, Candice Kenney, a licensed practical nurse at Waupaca Foundry in Marinette, Wisconsin, lost her son to suicide. 

Instead of letting her pain consume her, though, Kenney found strength and is now an advocate for suicide awareness.

Suicide prevention is a huge passion I have taken on because I don’t want anyone to go through what I have gone through,” Kenney said.

In her community, Kenney is a community member and supporter of Communities That Care of Marinette and Menominee Counties and the Suicide Prevention Network of Marinette and Menominee Counties. Both organizations are completely volunteer ran and work together on events, such as showing the movie The Ripple Effect, to better inform their community about suicide.

 

If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time,  you can be the difference in getting them the help they need.

The best thing we do is try and get these resources out to the community because if can get one family to not go through what so many others have, that is a win,” Shannon Parrett, a member of Communities That Care and the Suicide Prevention Network, said.

 

Gail Schick speaks at the annual “Embrace Life” Family/Community Fun Walk

The Suicide Prevention Network (SPN) was founded over 30 years ago. Gail Schick, who lost her son to suicide, decided to get involved with the organization to better inform the community about symptoms of depression and suicide awareness. Even on hard days, Schick’s motto is: “Always — not just a word, but a promise. I will always be there to support others, I will always remember those we lost, and I will always do what I can so no one else has to walk in my shoes.”

SPN also sponsors many community events and school assemblies to help raise awareness and highlight resources available in our communities. One form of education is QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) training, ask a question – save a life. This training is used to help those who are in the best possible position to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone thinking about suicide to help. 

Together, Kenney and Schick have trained many members in the community in QPR, including the first responders at Waupaca Foundry in Marinette. 

SPN also hosts an annual “Embrace Life” Family/Community Fun Walk which will take place on Sunday, September 29, 2019. 

Waupaca Foundry is honored to sponsor both of these organizations and their fight to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

“To know that Waupaca Foundry cares so much about our community and the youth of our community, and not just in suicide prevention but in everything they contribute to, is overwhelming. To know that they are a large company but still contribute and care about our community on a small-scale level is amazing as is to know that I work here and have the support of our team,” Kenney said. 

Every day someone is affected by suicide. 

If you or someone you know needs help, get support today:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

HopeLine Text Service: Text HOPELINE to 741741

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 

LGBTQ Crisis Line: 1-866-488-7386

YouthLine: 1-877-968-8491

Suicide prevention Network: 1-906-290-2727