MENOMONIE, Wis. — Throughout May, the Dunn County Zero Suicide Team — made up of community members and Human Services and Public Health staff — is marking National Mental Health Month by encouraging residents to wear and display green ribbons to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma of dealing with mental health issues.
The campaign includes hanging green ribbons at the Dunn County Government Center and in downtown Menomonie. Ribbons are available at Dunn County Human Services in the Government Center. Ribbons and information are being distributed at libraries, schools, clinics and participating businesses, and county staff are attending community events to share resources and answer questions.
Alaina Hagen, Dunn County Lead Service Facilitator for Comprehensive Community Services in the Human Services Department, said the ribbons are intended to spark conversation and remind people that help is available. Wendy Winger, Licensed Behavioral Health Manager in the Clinic and Community Support Program, is assisting with the effort.
“We want the ribbons to be a simple, visible way for people to show support and to open up conversations about mental health,” Hagen said. “Green represents renewal, hope and healing. Seeing a ribbon in the community can be the nudge someone needs to reach out.”
Hagen said the campaign aims to encourage people to ask for help.
“Asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she said. “We hope the ribbons encourage neighbors to check in with one another and to use the services that exist right here in Dunn County.”
Demand for services in the county has increased, Hagen said, with more residents showing more acute symptoms and having complex needs.
“We’re seeing higher levels of distress across age groups, and there aren’t enough specialized providers for psychosis, acute care and adolescent mental health,” she said. “For people proactively seeking care, our outpatient clinic typically schedules new clients within one to three months. When someone is in crisis, access can be much more difficult because symptoms often interfere with the ability to seek and engage with supports.”
This is the Zero Suicide Team’s second year promoting Mental Health Month with green ribbons as part of its broader goal to try to prevent suicide in Dunn County. For ribbon locations, upcoming events or assistance finding services, contact Dunn County Human Services or visit the county Behavioral Health webpage. Go to https://dunncountywi.gov/humanservices a
nd click on the Behavioral Health tab.
Information from Dunn County Behavioral Health Services is available at (715) 232-1116. For immediate help in a mental health emergency, call 911, the Northwest Connections crisis line at (888) 552-6642, or the 988 Suicide Lifeline for 24/7 support.
