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.

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.

LGBTQ Support 24/7 call 1.866.488.7386 or text 678-678

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:

List of providers

Support Groups and Survivor Resources

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

• NAMI South Dakota
  • Support group for individuals with mental health conditions
• Watertown Area Family Resource Directory
• Survivor support in South Dakota
• Grief Resources for Suicide Loss Survivors

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:

• Support group for family members, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.
• NAMI resources for Family Members and Caregivers
• Help a friend in need
• A Friend Asks, a free app by the Jason Foundation teaches its users how to recognize the signs that someone close to them may be thinking about suicide, and how to reach out to them proactively.
• View all South Dakota Community Mental Health Centers

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

• Safeguarding your home
• Avoid Opioid
• Drop box locations in Watertown
• Free Gun locks are available - contact the Watertown Police Department at 605-882-6210 or go to https://projectchildsafe.org/
• Rethinking drinking
• SD Quitline
• Cessation resource sheet
• Gun safety courses

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:

• Warning signs and risk factors
• Get Trained!
• Local training
• Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide
• NAMI trainings and presentations

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:

• Pledge to be stigma free
• Implement worksite wellness
• Presentations in the workplace
• Get Trained!
• Local training

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:

• 988lifeline.org
• www.sprc.org
• www.605strong.com
• sdsuicideprevention.org
• dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealth
• namisouthdakota.org/
• www.allianceofhope.org
• www.dougy.org/grief-support-resources/teens
• www.afsp.org
• www.thetrevorproject.org
• jedfoundation.org/
• helplinecenter.org/
• resilienttoday.org/

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