GREEN BAY – When it comes to battling mental illness, Laura Skenandall knows the healing power of “speaking your truth out loud.”
After multiple suicide attempts, Skenandall’s life was saved by friends and family who helped her realize that even the most devastating emotions can pass over time.
“I know 100 percent that even if I share a little bit of my story, it’s having a positive impact on someone else,” said Skenandall, a member of the Brown County Suicide Prevention Coalition. “It has made my journey and my purpose on this earth very clear to me.”
Now, Skenandall hopes to give back by participating in a special panel for people with lived experiences similar to hers. The panel will be held as part of a free mental health fair sponsored by the Brown County Suicide Prevention Coalition. The event will be held May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Neville Public Museum, 210 Museum Place, Green Bay.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why hold a mental health fair?
Every September, the Brown County Suicide Prevention Coalition hosts Be the Light Walk, a one-mile candle walk in Green Bay focused on suicide prevention and stigma reduction.
Coalition partners felt it was important to add more events to their repertoire, especially since one of the Coalition’s main goals is to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.
In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, the Coalition and its 20+ organizations will provide communities with resources focused on proactively responding to mental health conditions and behavioral concerns.
“I’ve always said since the jump, whether one person shows up or 500 people show up, the message of raising awareness is what we need to do,” Skenandall said.
What can the community expect?
In addition to the live experience panel, attendees will be able to view more than 20 tables of resources from Brown County and the Fox Valley.
The goal is to overcome the heavy themes of this event: doom and gloom. Having hope and having fun are essential to promoting good mental health.
As such, family-friendly activities include face painting for the kids, food trucks available outside the museum, and the presence of police cars and fire engines that will surely amaze many children.
It was also symbolic that first responders attended an event focused on suicide prevention. First responders tend to be the first person to contact in dire situations, responding to people who have attempted suicide, attempted suicide, or are in a mental health crisis.
“We really felt like we needed to build a positive connection. They’re there to help and they want to make sure the people around them are safe,” Skenandor said.
Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in QPR training, which stands for Question, Persuasion, and Referral. QPR gives people the tools they need to recognize and respond to a suicide crisis.
Who is this event aimed at?
Schenandall said the target audience is everyone.
Even if you’ve never struggled with mental health issues, chances are you know someone who does. And, Skenandall points out, everyone has mental health issues.
“You never know when this is going to affect you in some way,” Skenandor said.
How can I join the coalition?
The Brown County Suicide Prevention Coalition holds virtual meetings on the first Wednesday of each month from 2-2:30 p.m.
Skenandall encourages anyone interested in the topic of suicide prevention to join the coalition. For more information about upcoming meetings, please email BCCFSP@gmail.com.
Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. She can be reached at the following address: neilbert@gannett.com Or visit her Twitter profile at: @natalie_eilbert. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text “Hopeline” to the National Crisis Textline at 741-741.
