RAPIDAN, Minn. (KEYC) – The Rapidan Heritage Society is hosting a conversation on suicide and mental health in rural communities on Friday, May 22, at the Heritage Hall.
David Pongratz, president of the heritage society, says that a discussion and Q&A will be led by Colleen Stegenga, a licensed clinical social worker, to go over the challenges faced by farm families and rural neighbors and the financial and mental health resources available to them.
The Rapidan Heritage Society says that in southern Minnesota, rural communities face suicide rate that is over 3 times higher than their more urban counterparts due to the financial pressures that farmers face and the isolation some feel in their communities.
Pongratz says he has seen several friends, neighbors and relatives lose their lives to suicide over the years, which is why he would encourage anyone who is struggling to not be embarrassed to ask for help.
“I have found a couple people dead myself and one young fella committed suicide on our property. It was a couple of years ago, but its been so devastating to the family. We had a distant family member recently committed suicide, my cousin committed suicide, a friend of ours, their son committed suicide.
Over the last number of years its way to prevalent, way too devastating for the families and everyone involved in the community.
So that’s our goal to try and prevent one, if we prevent one it will be a success in my opinion,” Pongratz said.
The event is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Heritage Hall.
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