Glacial Lakes SAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone)

Glacial Lakes SAFE is a helping coalition of mental health professionals, community members, and passionate businesses dedicated to the glacial lakes region surrounding Watertown South Dakota.

Annual Suicide Walk/Run & Remembrance Ceremony

Live in the path of hope and join us for our annual event the first Wednesday of September. Visit us on Facebook for more details.

Click on any of the links below to jump to a section

I need help right now.

Call or text 988 to chat with someone immediately. 988 provides support, connections, and hope during a mental health or substance use crisis.

You can also call or text 988 if you are worried about a loved one in crisis.

Human Service Agency Crisis Line 24/7: 605-886-0123

Farm and Rural Stress Hotline: 1-800-691-4336

Veteran Crisis Line: Call 988 then press 1 to talk to connect with a VA responder.

Mental Wellness for Everyone

Great resources for our mental wellness include:

I am not sure if I need help.

Do you feel like you’re running on empty?

Everyone has bad days. When the bad days outnumber the good ones, it is time to talk it out. It’s especially important to practice mental wellness activities (see section above for tips). Remember it doesn’t have to add time to your day.

Talking with a trusted friend is healthy and helpful. At the same time, if you are wondering if you should speak with a counselor, it’s OK to reach out.

Just like when we have symptoms of a physical condition, it can be hard to know when to seek care. Your body may be trying to tell you to ask for help if you frequently experience:

  • Shaking or having tremors
  • Tense
  • Clenching your jaw
  • Upset stomach
  • Irritability
  • Confusion
  • Change of sleep habits
  • Overuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Change of social habits like avoiding friends

Trusted resources:

Find a Watertown Area Provider

Several mental health professionals are available. Students are welcome to ask their school or campus counselor for advice or help with finding someone to talk to. Providers are kept up to date on this pdf:

Support Groups

Some find it very helpful to have opportunities to share experiences and thoughts in a safe place. The following support groups are available

  • Watertown Area Family Resource Directory
  • Survivor support in South Dakota

    • Support a Friend or Family Member

    If a friend or family member wants to talk about life or their health, the best thing to do is listen and support them. All they may need to know is you always have their back.

    Trusted resources:

    Create a safe environment. Approximately 90% of attempters who survive a nonfatal attempt will not go on to die by suicide thereafter. Research has shown time and again that restricting access to lethal means (such as firearms and other highly lethal methods) can save lives.

    Helping to create a safe environment

    Suicide Education

    NAMI says it well - It can be frightening if someone you love talks about suicidal thoughts. It can be even more frightening if you find yourself thinking about dying or giving up on life. Not taking these kinds of thoughts seriously can have devastating outcomes, as suicide is a permanent solution to (often) temporary problems. On average, it takes about seven years for someone who has been struggling with their mental health to get help. Fifty percent of people with mental health issues NEVER get help. These sobering statistics have unfortunately hit hard in our community.

    Suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored. Comments or thoughts about suicide — also known as suicidal ideation — can begin small like, “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Nothing matters.” But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous.

    When referring to suicide and suicide attempts avoid using terms such as “committing suicide,” “successful suicide,” or “failed suicide” as these terms carry negative meanings.

    Trusted resources:

    Books and Journals:

    If you are supporting someone after their loved one died from suicide, Glacial Lakes SAFE has a library of resources available.

    Partner with the Glacial Lakes SAFE Coalition

    Glacial Lakes Safe 2022 Communication Guide

    More ways to support our cause:

    Want to be more involved or support our cause with a donation?

    Contact Kelli Rumpza, organizer of Glacial Lakes SAFE and Prevention Specialist at Human Service Agency by calling 605-884-3518 or email kellir@humanserviceagency.org

    About

    Glacial Lakes SAFE (Suicide Awareness for Everyone) is a Watertown area coalition dedicated to empower the Glacial Lakes community to prioritize mental health and de-stigmatize suicide, crisis, and mental health conditions.

    Our coalition recommends the following organizations:

    Our work is made possible in part by our sponsors & partners:

    American Bank & Trust

    Bridgeway Counseling

    Brueggeman Insurance

    Crawford & Osthus Funeral Chapel

    Crestone Builders

    Dacotah Bank

    Drs Dan and Sarah Reiffenberger

    First Bank and Trust

    First Premier Bank and Bankcard

    Kiwanis Club

    Lake Area Technical College

    Lutheran Social Services

    Moffatt

    NAMI

    Prairie Lakes Healthcare System

    South Dakota Army National Guard

    Trav’s Outfitters

    Watertown Area United Way

    Watertown Police Department

    Watertown School District

    Weiss Eye Clinic

    Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel