Have you noticed the green bows and garlands decorating downtown Menomonie along the lakefront? If you’ve wondered what they’re all about, here’s the story.

They’ve been placed there in recognition of May as Mental Health Month by the Dunn County Zero Suicides Team—a collaborative effort made up of staff from Dunn County Human Services, the Dunn County Health Department, and House Calls of Dunn County.

The Zero Suicides Team was formed in 2019 after several local health professionals completed “zero suicides” training through Mental Health America of Wisconsin. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to make suicide a “never event” by encouraging open conversations about despair, suicide, hope, and the path to thriving.

“We like to do something to highlight May as Mental Health Month, said Deb Benoit, team member from the Health Department. “We have previously done this within the Dunn County Government Center building, but this year, we wanted to get out into the community more. That’s where the idea for the green ribbons came in.”

The display poster (seen above) includes local resources where help is available: Northwest Connections 1-888-552-6642; Dunn County Resource Guide dunn.myresourceguide.org and 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis (24/7 call or text)Lifeline.

In addition to the lakefront display, small green lapel ribbons are also available at select downtown businesses, as well as at Dunn County Human Services and the Dunn County Health Department. The team encourages everyone to pick one up and wear it to show their support for mental health awareness.

For more information contact Deb Benoit (Health Department) at [email protected]