BE THE ONE

Community Awareness Event Concerning Suicide Prevention

By Norma Dittman Be The One is a free event that is open to the public that will address suicide. Hosted by the Slayton American Legion Post #64, the date is Monday, March 23, 7 p.m., at the Murray County 4-H Building.

This event is focused on awareness, education, and open conversation about mental health, crisis support and how the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can help individuals, families, and communities.

Slayton American Legion Post Commander, Brad Pagel, stated, “We are encouraging all community members and families, emergency medical services and fire personnel, law enforcement dispatch, healthcare and behavioral health professionals, veterans, service members, advocates, educators, clergy, and spiritual leaders to attend. You never know when suicide, or someone who is contemplating suicide, will affect someone you know and love. You never know when you might be the one who can help that person.”

Presenters for Be the One are Machelle Kocer, LISW Suicide Prevention Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator with Sioux Falls VA Mental Health and Human Services, and a speaker from the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs, along with Brad Pagel.

“There will be about an hour of presentations followed by a time for questions and answers,” Pagel commented. “This event is a way to come out that night, listen to the presenters, and ask your questions in conversation with people in the community. The more you learn, the more you know, the easier asking questions to aid someone will be.”

The first 200 attendees will receive a giveaway that will have additional information about local organizations and services that are available in our area.

“There will be cards in that giveaway that will have questions you can ask someone who is in crisis. Columbia University has put 15 years of research into formulating questions that can enable you to get the yes or no answer from the person you are concerned about,” Pagel said.

Emergency services members have asked if the Be the One event will count toward continuing education. “Yes, it does,” Pagel reassured. “I am more than happy to fill out the paperwork on it!”

The title of Be the One is from the American Legion’s top priority mission to reduce the number of veterans and service-members who die by suicide.

“By talking about suicide, and raising awareness about it while fostering camaraderie, each person can demonstrate how to Be the One who gives someone the support they need when they are in crisis,” Pagel stated.

For more information, contact Brad Pagel at 605-366-3025.

“We’re Here For Each One.”