IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Sunday, September 22, the community will gather for the 7th annual Hope 2 Help suicide awareness walk, held at the Downtown Plaza across from the Dickinson County Library. The event, organized by the Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care (CTC), aims to shine a “light in the dark” on a pressing issue that has impacted local families. The CTC has been working to bring better suicide prevention services to Dickinson and Iron Counties.
Bob Boivin, Prevention Coordinator for Dickinson-Iron CTC, explained the significance of hosting the event in the heart of downtown this year, rather than at the mall. “We wanted it to be more community-specific so that people feel like they’re part of something,” Boivin said. The location, familiar to many as the site of the farmers market and Thursday music concerts, will serve as a central and accessible venue for the event.
Highlighting the importance of suicide awareness, Boivin noted that the issue is particularly relevant in rural areas like Dickinson and Iron Counties, where factors such as seasonal depression can exacerbate mental health challenges. “We have a lot of the risk factors for this particular thing,” he said. The event not only focuses on raising awareness, but also on community action, offering QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training throughout the year. This training is designed to equip local volunteers with the skills needed to assist those in crisis.
The event will run from 1 – 5 p.m. offering a range of activities beyond the walk itself. Upon registration, participants will receive a flameless electronic candle to symbolize bringing light into the darkness. “When we do the walk, I’m going to ask everybody to turn on their candles,” Boivin said. “We’re representing that we could be the light in someone’s darkness. We could light someone’s way.”
This year’s walk starts at the stage area across from the library, with participants walking toward the baseball fields and Mountain View Ice Arena, ending at the tennis courts. Boivin ensured that there will be accommodations for those who might have accessibility concerns during the walk, including a virtual walk option at the library. “If you’re in a wheelchair or in a walker, and you’re afraid to go up the hill, they’re going to do a virtual walk here at the building at the same time so you can still feel a part of it,” Boivin shared.
In addition to the walk, the event will include various community engagement activities. Local fire and police departments will be on hand to interact with children and demonstrate safety practices. “The community relationship is so important. They are public servants. They are not something to be feared,” Boivin emphasized, noting the importance of fostering trust and respect between residents and their public servants.
The event will include a “gatekeepers” table, where participants can learn more about the QPR training. The library, a key partner in the event, will host a one-hour QPR training session during the event to further support community members in recognizing and responding to signs of suicide. “It’s part of the mental health first aid, but this is a very specific piece toward this type of awareness – to suicide,” Boivin explained.
The day’s activities will include speakers at 2 p.m., followed by the walk itself around 2:30 p.m. Boivin expressed gratitude to the volunteers and partners who are helping make the event a success, noting the importance of continued community support in addressing the complex issue of suicide.
For those interested in future events or volunteering opportunities, the CTC welcomes community involvement to help create a safer and more supportive environment.
For more ways to connect with the Dickinson-Iron Communities that Care, visit:
