January 22, 2025 | By Emilie Jacques
The Copper Country is known for being rural and rugged, where the winters are tough and the people are tougher. Yet, even the toughest individuals face difficult times and endure moments of vulnerability. While it may seem that the Copper Country is distant from the rest of the world, help is never out of reach.
One such group committed to offering support and care in this remote corner of the world is the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition. This coalition is made up of individuals from various agencies across the Copper Country, all united by the common goal of raising awareness about suicide prevention resources and services in the area. Through their collaborative efforts, they aim to create a supportive, connected community for everyone who calls the Copper Country home.
Dismantling misconceptions
In 2025, the coalition is working on an exciting new project: highlighting local agencies that bring suicide prevention and mental health services closer to home. By regularly highlighting these local organizations, the coalition hopes to show people that local help is available, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and crisis situations in the Copper Country. Highlights will come out monthly across Copper Shores' social media accounts, each featuring a local agency, its goals, and hands-on work providing suicide prevention resources and support to community members.
Though suicide prevention is often thought of as a job left for hospitals and law enforcement, prevention is most successful when it’s embedded into every facet of community, from awareness of resources to fostering an environment that does not stigmatize mental health. Not only do many local agencies provide mental health and suicide prevention services that help reduce the stress on hospitals and law enforcement agencies, but they are also better equipped to help people struggling with mental health and suicidal ideation, before it becomes an emergency.
“Improving access to mental healthcare is one of five guidelines in the Michigan Suicide Prevention Plan,” said coalition member Michelle Morgan, of Keweenaw Support 4 Healthy Minds. “Other guidelines address some of the risk factors that contribute to suicide in a community. This means creating a healthy environment that promotes increased awareness and knowledge throughout the whole community, not just among professionals.”
Comprehensive Resources List
To make locating these resources and agencies easier, the coalition is curating a comprehensive list of local resources and agencies on the Copper Shores Resources Page. This page will serve as a tool for people of all backgrounds, including teens, families, senior citizens, food-insecure individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Those in need will find countless resources covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, fraud and financial support, sexual assault and more.
The goal of the Resources Page is to make it easy for Copper Country residents to find the help they need. With just a few clicks, people can locate resources and agencies that have been vetted by the mental health professionals in the coalition. Community members are invited to coppershores.org/resources at any time to find local organizations and more, in one easy-to-navigate location. Don’t hesitate to visit the Resources Page to find support that fits you best; help is just a click away.
Keep up with each highlight
Follow Copper Shores on your favorite social media platform(s) to keep up with agency highlights throughout the year. Catch heartwarming success stories and find support that fits your needs.
