SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) – Saturday morning saw the Helpline Center’s 13th annual “Moving Forward to Suicide Prevention” event. Saturday morning also saw the start of Pride Festivities with a parade down Sioux Falls’ 8th Street, followed by Pride Festivities at Sioux Falls Stadium. Both events drew large crowds to downtown Sioux Falls. While there were many differences between the events, the core of both gatherings is letting people know they are seen and loved.
The Sioux Falls Pride Festival focused on acceptance and support for the LGBTQ community, and the Helpline Center remembered loved ones lost to suicide with a ceremony and riverside walk and raised awareness about suicide prevention and mental health.
Helpline Centre CEO Janet Kittams said it was important to raise awareness of mental health among people in the LGBTQ community because they were four times more at risk of suicide.
“Our event is always on the same Saturday and it’s actually worked out really well,” Kittams explains, “We actually have a booth at the Pride Festival. It’s really important and rewarding to be able to let someone know when they’re in their darkest time or struggling that we’re there and that someone cares and that we want to listen. We want to support and we want to help.”
Robert Brandt, founder and president of the Sioux Empire Pride Sports Association (SEPSA), said one of the best ways to support members of the LGBTQ community experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health issues is to provide a space for them, which was one of the main reasons SEPSA was founded.
“When it comes to mental health, there aren’t enough spaces where we can be our true selves. Community gives us a sense of belonging and gives us the space to feel like, ‘I am welcome here, I am safe here, I can be myself here,'” Berlant said.
The Helpline Center met its goal of raising $60,000 for suicide and crisis programs.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, trained staff at the Helpline Centre are available 24/7 on the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988.
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