“Solitary Refinement” – The Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition Reminds You That You’re Never Alone

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or so the old saying goes…but sometimes, what isn’t prevented simply can’t be cured.  “Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-to-34-year-olds and is the eighth-leading cause of death in the state [of Minnesota],” asserts Kylie Weller, Senior Program Coordinator at Saint Cloud’s Whitney Senior Center.  “It is the most preventable form of death.”

Whitney Senior Center is one of several organizations that has joined other organizations in spreading an elastic ounce of suicide prevention over a part of the Lake State whose heritage includes laconic lumberjacks and milk maids, stoic miners and farmers–dirty men and sturdy women who, in years gone by, considered their own emotions obstacles to be overcome, millstones to be ignored, weaknesses to be withered.   

La, la, la, I don’t feel bad; la yadda la, I don’t feel anything; ook, ook, ook, I’ve got too much to do. 

Feelings denied are not feelings destroyed, of course, and the worst feelings, if left denied, can often destroy…if allowed to. 

The answer is the Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition which defines itself thusly: “CMSPC was created as a community-based coalition to carry out the vision to end suicide. It is CMSPC’s mission to accomplish the vision by empowering, educating, equipping, and engaging the community.”  Weller elaborates: “The coalition was established in July of 2019.  CMSPC’s catchment area includes Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright County in Minnesota.”

Another member of the coalition serves Minnesotans who have seen others at their traumatizing worst.  Says Evelyn Sullivan, suicide prevention case manager for Saint Cloud’s Veterans Administration, “The Suicide Prevention Team at the Saint Cloud VA works with leaders in the community with a common goal of reducing and eliminating suicide.  The goal is to assist with assembling and maintaining coalitions like CMSPC in our communities.”  

Eliminating suicide might seem an overly lofty goal from the outside, but Weller insists that such doe-eyed, shoot-for-the-moon idealism is necessary for success.  “The mission to end suicide may be viewed as realistic to some and not to others,” she admits.  “Regardless, in doing the work we do, if we can help people and save lives along the way, and possibly teach others to do the same, then I feel accomplished in that. It’s a step in the process–sometimes it’s not always about that end goal, rather it’s what we do, who we help, and the impact we make along the way.”  

One of the coalition’s major functions is promoting a pre-existing but often-overlooked service, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  “We can report that the number of people that have called 988 in the Central Minnesota area have increased since the formation of this coalition,” Sullivan correlates.  “This is what we want to see–it is such a positive to know that people feel safe calling, texting or chatting with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line in a crisis situation.”  Adds Weller, “You can also contact 988 if you are worried about a loved one who, friend, or neighbor who may need crisis support.” 

This telephonic crisis support can be bent like light through a prism, if it needs to be.  “Our coalition also promotes that if the person is from the LGBTQ+ community, you can dial 988, and then press 3.  You will be connected to a crisis counselor trained to support LGBTQ+ youth and young adults,” assures Weller.  “We also promote the Trevor Project–that is a 24/7 crisis service aimed at the thirteen-to-twenty-four-year-old demographic.  They can assist with feelings of depression and/or suicide to questions about gender identity and coming out.”

Dealing with the existential emotional crises of one’s fellow creatures can exact a heavy emotional toll on professional life-savers, but another aspect of the coalition’s work can sometimes provide a countervailing tonic.  “By being part of outreach events or trainings is motivating,” notes Weller.  “Being able to share resources helps our coalition to feel like we are making an impact, and that is very rewarding.”

These are, in fact, experts who are only too happy to share the tricks of their trade—in fact, they consider such sharing to be part of their job.  As Weller puts it, “Our coalition also provides suicide prevention training which teaches people to identify individuals who are showing warning signs of suicide risk and help these individuals get the services they need.”

The problem of suicide erodes every demographic, of course, so suicide’s solution has to do the same.  “Our coalition recognizes that suicide is a national public health issue that impacts individuals from all walks of life,” Weller exposits.  “Reasons people die by suicide are complex, and it takes a village to address these reasons.  By working together, we can better educate the community on the resources available to save lives and support our community.”

Sullivan concurs: “The work being done surrounding suicide prevention is truly necessary and can be done by each of us. Those who would like to join coalitions in their respective areas should be encouraged to do so.”

Sometimes the work entails overcoming stereotypes about the touchy topic.  The most common of these?  “That talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide,” notes Weller.  “This is something that is simply not true!”

The direct approach won’t cost a life…but it might just save one.  “It is okay to ask ‘Are you thinking about suicide or have you had thoughts about suicide?’” Weller assures.  “It will not put the idea into their head and asking someone if they are feeling suicidal can bring them relief because someone finally is acknowledging how badly they are feeling.”

That acknowledgment is key—the acknowledgment disdained by the dirty, sturdy generations gone by isn’t, as it turns out, a withering weakness but a foundation for profound, newfound strength.  “We want people to know it’s okay to not be okay,” Weller concludes.  “Some days are tough, but help is available, and you are not alone.”  

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