‘You are never alone’
Yellow Ribbon hosts 5th annual Shine the Light at German Park
Brown County Yellow Ribbon board member Sarah Riess stands beside the "Shine the Light" yard sign at German Park during Sunday's mental health awareness event. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Supportive families gather for a group photo during the Brown County Yellow Ribbon "Shine the Light" event at German Park on Sunday. Back row, left to right: Missy Baxter, Liam Baxter, Chris Baxter, Anthony Verdoljak, Allison Beranek, Darcy Beranek, and Austin Brandes. Second row: Frankie (dog), Jeff Brandes, Sue Brandes, Kayla Verdoljak, Vicky Hoffmann, Amelia Streich, and Ashley Streich. Third row: Maddie Hoffmann, Kayla Portner, and Adam Portner. Front row: Violet Portner and Eleanor Portner. (Photo by Amy Zents)
From left, Erica Kimsey, Danielle Deopere and Kayla Bartlett with The Wellness Collective at the 5th annual Brown County Yellow Ribbon Shine the Light event at German Park on Sunday.
Brown County Yellow Ribbon board member Sue Brandes and musician Tanner Stark at German Park during the "Shine the Light" suicide prevention event on Sunday. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Brown County Yellow Ribbon board member Sarah Riess stands beside the "Shine the Light" yard sign at German Park during Sunday's mental health awareness event. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Supportive families gather for a group photo during the Brown County Yellow Ribbon "Shine the Light" event at German Park on Sunday. Back row, left to right: Missy Baxter, Liam Baxter, Chris Baxter, Anthony Verdoljak, Allison Beranek, Darcy Beranek, and Austin Brandes. Second row: Frankie (dog), Jeff Brandes, Sue Brandes, Kayla Verdoljak, Vicky Hoffmann, Amelia Streich, and Ashley Streich. Third row: Maddie Hoffmann, Kayla Portner, and Adam Portner. Front row: Violet Portner and Eleanor Portner. (Photo by Amy Zents)
From left, Erica Kimsey, Danielle Deopere and Kayla Bartlett with The Wellness Collective at the 5th annual Brown County Yellow Ribbon Shine the Light event at German Park on Sunday.
Brown County Yellow Ribbon board member Sue Brandes and musician Tanner Stark at German Park during the "Shine the Light" suicide prevention event on Sunday. (Photo by Amy Zents)
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NEW ULM -- Dozens of community members gathered at German Park on Sunday for the fifth annual Brown County Yellow Ribbon “Shine the Light” event, bringing local mental health resources, live entertainment and community outreach to support suicide prevention and awareness.
Originally held on Saturdays, organizers decided to change the day to avoid scheduling conflicts.
“We typically have our event on a Saturday, and this year we decided to flip it to a Sunday and look, we got this beautiful day,” Brandes said.
The Brown County Yellow Ribbon organization had operated for years before going dormant due to declining board membership.
Five years ago, local volunteers reorganized the nonprofit and brought the event back to German Park.
For board member Sue Brandes, the mission is personal. Brandes and her husband joined after experiencing a family loss. Brandes stated that all current board members carry personal connections to suicide loss.
The volunteer board includes Dan Sowers, Jessica Wesselmann, Sue Brandes, Allison Budenski, Sarah Reiss, Sara Sandtorf, and Marie Larsen.
“Really, truly, our mission with Brown County Yellow Ribbon is mental health awareness,” Brandes said. “Just being aware of your mental health, and suicide prevention. That’s our mission: to let people know that it’s OK not to be OK, and that you are never alone.”
A major focus was addressing mental health challenges among youth and young adults ages 14 to 25.
Brandes highlighted how modern stressors, from post-pandemic isolation to digital pressures like cyberbullying, social media comparison and online extortion schemes leave teenagers feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
“Life is really hard right now, and it doesn’t matter what age you are,” Brandes said. “Even though there’s so much increased social media, that doesn’t make it easy. I think that’s where young people feel the pressure. They see all these photos of people doing things and they feel excluded.”
Brandes emphasized recognizing subtle behavioral shifts in loved ones and speaking up directly.
“I think the mental health piece comes on so slow that people don’t realize what’s happening,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to ask the hard question. The hard question is: ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ It’s really about listening, no judgment.”
She added, “When you’re in crisis, don’t be afraid to call 911. Don’t be afraid to talk with someone at 988. They are trained professionals that can help you in the moment. Just know you’re not alone.”
Brandes also highlighted the role of companion animals during times of grief and crisis, mentioning that pets can do wonderful things for people struggling with depression.
German Park featured information tables hosted by several area organizations.
To Be Continued provided information on free mental health and suicide prevention training for local schools.
The Wellness Collective shared details on local counselors, yoga, holistic practices, and their monthly youth art group for 7-12 grades, where Danielle Deopere explained they teach art skills to promote positive expression and mental health.
Other participating groups included Horizon Homes, Brown County Public Health, and the Heart of New Ulm, which hosted a rock-painting activity for children.
Attendees supported the organization by purchasing Yellow Ribbon T-shirts, sweatshirts, and decorative sunflowers, or building custom bouquets with Peep and Petal.
Food vendors on German Street included Legacy BBQ, Antonio’s on the Go, Munchies Ice Cream Truck, and a student-run lemonade stand.
Musician Tanner Stark volunteered to perform live music.
At 11:30 a.m., board members formally opened the event, and at 12:30 p.m., community members gathered for the annual Walk of Hope to the Brown County Yellow Ribbon mural wall.
The event provided vital community connection.
New Ulm resident Hannah Arnold, who grew up in Willmar and attended with her family, previously participated in walks after losing a high school friend to suicide at age 14 due to cyberbullying.
Her companion, Parker Sunderman, who works in law enforcement, highlighted the need for mental health awareness among first responders who face significant job stressors.
Reflecting on the day, Brandes said, “It went wonderfully, great turnout, the sun came out too. We are so grateful. We had a very successful event.”
For immediate support in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. This is the emergency Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States and its territories.