Copper Shores is shining a spotlight on a vital community event that’s close to the hearts of many: the 8th Annual Suicide Prevention Walk. This walk stands as a beacon of hope and solidarity, reflecting the collective commitment to addressing mental health challenges and supporting one another. This year’s event is on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park in Houghton. 

Callisto Cortez, Youth Development Specialist at Copper Shores Outreach & Education brings a wealth of experience in youth engagement and mental health awareness. Her insights will shed light on the positive changes this event brings to our community and the ways it empowers youth to face mental health challenges with strength and support. 

Taryn Mason, Copper Country Mental Health Institute Director discusses the significance of the walk, the ongoing efforts to support mental wellness, and how everyone can get involved, while bringing extensive expertise in mental health services and community outreach to the conversation. Her discussion will encompass the walk’s broader impact, including how it serves as a powerful platform for raising awareness, promoting available mental health resources, and honoring those we have lost to suicide.

Cortez and Mason speak on the positive effects of the event on the community, including how it brings people together and creates a supportive environment for those affected by mental health challenges. Attendees can learn about the resources available through Copper Shores Outreach & Education, Copper Country Mental Health and several other community partners, and how to access support if they or someone they know is struggling.

Join Copper Shores and the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition for the eighth annual Suicide Prevention Walk on September 14, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park, in Houghton. Discover the mission behind the Suicide Prevention Walk and how it aims to raise awareness, promote mental health resources, and remember those we have lost.

Event Sponsors

• Platinum: Breakwater Credit Union, Copper Country Mental Health
• Gold: Warm Rain
• Bronze: M&M Power Sports
• Copper: Biggby Coffee, Impaled, Kirkish Furniture, Kitschy Spirit Records, Lindell's Chocolate Shop, Superior Graphics, Sayen’s, Walgreens

Every step taken together at this walk is not just a step forward for awareness, but a powerful stride toward greater empathy and connection. For more information about the Suicide Prevention Walk and to get involved, visit coppershores.org/walk.