October Newsletter

Greetings to you—

This particular fall has been odd, weather-wise, with warmer days stretching into October more than us hearty Minnesotans are accustomed to. For those of you wishing for the typical cozy-inducing days of fall, you might finally get your wish. For those of us savoring the last days of warmth, it’s time to prepare for what’s next. The arrival of waning light and dropping temps.

As the days get shorter and the sun sets quicker, we all react in different ways. Some embrace it while others long for the days of eternal sunshine. For many, the onset of fall and the inevitability of winter can trigger emotional responses to the seasonality. (In fact, more than 3 million people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, aptly shortened to SAD each year)

For those who struggle against the reality of mental health issues, this time of year can be anything but welcoming and cozy. It’s our goal to continue to shine the light on resources and support for those experiencing feelings of loss, hopelessness, and struggle.

Help us in our mission spread warmth and sunshine to those who need it most.

Be well,

Reyne & Scott Roeder

Being Pro “Anti-Bullying”

We’ve all made it through our adolescent years and likely can name people from our past who played the role of bully or were a victim of it ourselves. It seems the phenomenon is a hallmark of childhood, inescapable no matter where we live or grew up. An unfortunate hallmark, one that takes a village to overcome.

Bullying has found a new avenue for impact in modern technology-drive times, the term cyberbullying has become part of the landscape for torment and trauma. By definition, Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

October is National Anti-Bullying Month. According to data from Yale University, bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide or engage in suicidal ideation behavior than non-victims. That’s staggering data; a rally cry for parents, school officials, and the community to come together as a united front. An initiative backed by the U.S. government, StopBullying.gov offers resources and prevention tactics in order to advance the narrative on bullying, and help promote the general stance on a zero-tolerance policy.

Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition

The Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition (CMSPC) was established in July 2019 and was created as a community-based coalition to carry out the vision to end suicide. It is CMSPC’s mission to accomplish the vision by empowering, educating, equipping, and engaging the community around its purpose and passion. CMSPC catchment area includes Benton, Meeker, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright Counties in Minnesota. The important organization maintains a Facebook page that offers great ways to reach the community, share mental health and suicide prevention information, resources, and training events. Please consider liking, following, and sharing CMSPC posts and events to help reach more people.

Tending for a Cause

Thank you for joining us in the taproom at Beaver Island Brewing Co. last month as we raised money (and awareness!) for the Jackson Roeder Memorial Fund. We appreciated seeing many faces and catching up between pouring beer! A special thank you to our friends Jeff and Melinda Gau, Patty and Vic Funk, Pam Kotzenmacher, and Becca Brannan for volunteering to beertend on our behalf. We are grateful for your friendship and support.

Protecting Our Veterans

Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support

With Veterans Day observance next month, it’s important to highlight the work being done to protect veterans from suicide and offer resources to help combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for our service men and women.

October 2nd marked Minnesota’s Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day, an effort to highlight the stark reality of those in active and post-duty military struggling with mental health. Data shows veterans die by suicide at a rate of 1.5 times more than nonveteran adults. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers resources and support to those in active military and veterans alike. While suicide certainly does not discriminate among demographics, affecting every age group and gender, its heightened presence among the military showcases the need for unity, empathy, and increased awareness for this vulnerable sector of people.

As former President Obama said, “It’s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It’s about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits that they’ve earned when they come home. It’s about serving all of you as well as you’ve served the United States of America.”

For the month of October, Jackson’s artwork is on display at Old Capital Tavern in Sauk Rapids. We appreciate the space to share his beautiful work—the installation moves to a new location in November!

Resources & Can't-Miss:

Suicide Prevention + Faith Community
Online event through MDH Suicide Prevention Webinar Series: Faith Community with Glen Bloomstrom Tuesday October 19th 2pm-3pm. He will explore why clergy are needed in suicide prevention efforts, how to get started and what leaders need to know in the faith community. Registration is free.

Mare of Easttown
Series from HBO featuring a main character struggling with the loss of her son by suicide. The show reveals how grief and healing after a suicide loss can be difficult and often painful, and demonstrates how therapy can help in navigating complex feelings, and creating a path toward healing.

CHANNEL KINDNESS
Book from none other than Lady Gaga, the co-founder of Born This Way Foundation which supports the mental health of young people and works with them to create a kinder and braver world. CHANNEL KINDNESS is a collection of inspirational stories written by young people showcasing incredible bravery and compassion.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 or text “MN” to 741-741

Continue to stay up-to-date by following the Jackson Roeder Memorial Fund Facebook page where we will share information and events with the community on mental health and suicide prevention.