Mental Health Awareness
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
To honor Suicide Prevention Month, Dakota County is promoting resources, events and ways to get involved.
Upcoming events
NAMIWalks Minnesota
Sept. 26, 9 a.m.
Join NAMI Minnesota for the 20th annual NAMIWalks at Minnehaha Falls Park. This even promotes mental health for all and supports NAMI’s mission of education, advocacy, support and public awareness.
St. Ambrose Stride to SAVE Lives Fall Fest 5K
Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m.
Join Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) for Saint Ambrose Catholic Community’s third annual 5K focused on coming together as a community to raise awareness and combat the tragedy of suicide.
Upcoming trainings
Webinar: Understanding the 988 Minnesota Lifeline System
Sept. 10, 10-11 a.m.
Join NAMI MN for an in-depth overview of the 988 Minnesota Lifeline infrastructure and how the system is designed to support individuals in need of emotional and mental health support.
Webinar: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations
Sept. 14, 1-2:30 p.m.
CALM Conversations is designed to provide friends, family and others with information on how to recognize and respond to suicide risk with an additional focus on increasing lethal means safety. Join NAMI MN to learn how to talk with someone who might be having these thoughts in a collaborative, nonjudgmental and supportive manner.
Webinar: LOSS Teams in Minnesota
Sept. 22, noon-1:30 p.m.
Join Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) for a discussion about establishing Minnesota’s first LOSS Team in Bloomington. They will share lessons learned, answer audience questions and discuss next steps for those interested in starting LOSS Teams in their own Minnesota communities.
Explore additional opportunities
The Minnesota Suicide Prevention Trainer Network and communities across Minnesota are committed to preventing suicide. The site was designed to provide resources, tools, information and events for anyone to use.
Get involved
Join Dakota County’s Youth Well-being Network
The Youth Well-Being Network addresses risk factors contributing to adverse childhood experiences, substance misuse and overdoses, and suicidality in Dakota County's youth and young adults ages 10–24. The goal is to ensure that protective factors are in place, so this target group can thrive.
Membership includes organizations, institutions, youth and adult community members from Dakota County. Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to participate to provide insight. People with lived experience are those who have gained knowledge of the subject matter through direct, first-hand involvement in everyday events. This is instead of through assumptions and constructs from other people, research or media.
Email eric.gipson@co.dakota.mn.us for more information
Participate in one of Dakota County’s Local Advisory Councils
The Children's Mental Health Local Advisory Council and Adult Mental Health Local Advisory Council offer individuals, parents, families and providers the opportunity to make a real difference in how mental health care is provided in their community. LACs work to:
- Develop a mental health system that monitors and responds to consumer needs and trends.
- Provide input on what services are needed.
- Promotes awareness and understanding of mental health.
Get support now
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support, help is available 24/7:
- Dakota County Crisis Response Unit: 952-891-7171
- Crisis Text Line: Text “MN” to 741741
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Wellness in the Woods Peer Line
- East Metro Crisis Alliance: Call 651-288-0400 or text “support” to 85511
Support for Suicide Loss Survivors
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Support Group Database
Discover virtual and in-person support groups.
HelpingMN
An interactive map of Minnesota which shows support groups by county. Managed by Your Wings of Hope, Smiles for Jake, and Jackson Roeder Legacy Fund.