SLEEPY EYE — In an effort to continue raising suicide awareness, hope, healing and prevention, Brown County Yellow Ribbon hosted a trail walk around Sleepy Eye Lake Saturday.

“This is our first walk in Sleepy Eye to kick off mental health awareness month. This is to spread hope, awareness, education and prevention of suicide,” said Brown County Yellow Ribbon Chairwoman Jeanne Reed.

She said Brown County Yellow Ribbon is back up and running after shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We restarted as non-profit organization about two years ago,” said Reed.

A partner organization, Hutchinson-based 2B Continued, a suicide loss bereavement support group, was part of the event.

Jamie Wenninger of New Ulm the mission of 2B Continued is to increase suicide awareness, prevention, mental health and wellness with advocacy, education and outreach.

Wenninger said she became involved with 2B Continued after losing her father, Jeff Wenninger, at 67 in January 2021.

“He was outgoing, friendly, enjoyed volunteering and mushroom hunting. He was a New Ulm American Legion club member and worked part-time after retiring from 3M. He rescued husky dogs,” Wenninger said.

“When everything shut down during the COVID pandemic, he didn’t get the help he needed. We lost him to suicide. I think isolation was a contributing factor. I know he battled depression his whole life and was getting help before COVID,” she added.

Wenninger said she is fostering husky dogs and volunteers with 2B Continued, adopt a husky, is active at the New Ulm American Legion and works at 3M.

“I’m a big supporter of veterans,” she said.

Wenninger said a group of people will host a community suicide awareness event at the Glockenspiel in Schonlau Park in New Ulm beginning at 3 p.m., Saturday. Aug. 31. Speakers are planned before a parade down Minnesota Street to the American Legion Club.

“Anybody can join us. We’re really excited about this,” she said.

2B Continued handouts listed suicide warning signs including increased use of alcohol or drugs, reckless behavior, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawing or isolation, showing rage, seeking revenge and extreme mood swings.

To ask for help, call 988 or text “HELP” to 741741.