Need help now and want to talk to someone?

National Suicide Hotline 988 text or call

Iowa County WI Hotline 1-800-362-5717

Spanish Hotline: 888-628-9454

About Us                                                             

Contact:

• Email: spcicwi@gmail.com                          
• Instagram: suicide_prevention_iowa_co._wi
• Facebook: 
• Suicide Prevention of Southwestern WI
• "Like" us and you will automatically receive weekly updates and information

Our team: We are a group of concerned citizens from a variety of professions ranging from law enforcement, mortician, therapist, educators, religious personnel, medical personnel, and Survivors of a Suicide loss.

Mission statement: Because we value human life, the mission of Suicide Prevention of Iowa County is to prevent suicide through awareness, education, collaboration, and improved access to mental health care.

• In  January 2018  we have expanded our geographical area due to lack of services and need to include Grant, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, Crawford and Vernon Counties.

Our Vision is suicide-free communities where people will recognize the warning signs, intervene, and help individuals find hope.

 Iowa Co. Mental Health Resource Guide (flow chart)

 Iowa Co. Mental Health Resources (By category of need)

Our Accomplishments (2014-Present)

2023

 Suicide Awareness: (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

•  Awareness Night at Sporting events:
• Driftless Area Foundation Ice Fisheree 
• East VS West Six Rivers Conference wide
• Highland VS Blackhawk Boys Basketball
• Media :Televised & Radio Interviews / Coverage: January, February, March, May, September Channel 47 commercial. 
• Live Stream TV Focused Commercials February, March, April, May. Aug, Sept, Dec. (Vet, Farmers, Warning signs of Suicide)
• Radio Ads:
• Newspaper ads weekly for the month of May, June & September in newspapers in each county.
• Fundraisers - Bowling Tournament & Trivia & Dodgeball Tournament
• T-Shirt Design Competition (May)
• Community Campaign- Year to date: 2,286 Shirts in the community end of 2022
• 2023 Total Shirts: May (  ) , Sept.(  )
• Suicide Shoe Memorial in Mineral Point, WI Memorial Day weekend (1 month)
• Business Window Display - May & September in Mineral Point & Ridgeway
• Mental Health Awareness Week Events: 
• Suicide Memorial Walk

 Education & Collaboration:

• QPR Training's: 2023 (  )  Barneveld Library, 
• Community Group spoke to about Stress, Depression or Suicide:
• Partnerships: Driftless Foundation, Grant Regional Health Center, Ridgeway Volunteer Library, 
• School wide focus to Suicide Prevention consulting/presenting: 
• Facebook Live Videos - Focus on resources, education and breaking down stigmas.

 Mental Health Access:

• Shared Grief after Suicide Support Groups in Dodgeville WI 2nd Thursday of each month.
• Community Kindness project in Ridgeway 3rd Tuesday of each month. 

2022

 Suicide Awareness: (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

•  Awareness Night at Sporting events:
• East VS West Six Rivers Conference wide
• Dodgeville Wrestling VS River Valley & Sugar River
• Dodgeville Wrestling VS Richland Center
• Little Britches WI Rodeo in Highland.
• Media :Televised & Radio Interviews / Coverage: January, February, March, May, September Channel 47 commercial. 
• Live Stream TV Focused Commercials February, March, April, May. Aug, Sept, Dec. (Vet, Farmers, Warning signs of Suicide)
• Radio Ads February, June
• Newspaper ads weekly for the month of May, June & September in newspapers in each county. In addition, Vernon County special focus full page ads for 1 month in November. 
• Fundraisers - Bowling Tournament, Dodgeball Tournament & Helicopter Golf Ball Drop
• T-Shirt Design Competition (May)
• Community Campaign- Year to date: 2,286 Shirts in the community end of 2022
• 2022 Total Shirts: May: 30  , Sept.: 529
• Suicide Shoe Memorial in Mineral Point, WI starting Memorial Day weekend (1 month)
• Business Window Display - May & September in Mineral Point, Ridgeway
• Mental Health Awareness Week Events: Mineral Point School District (Full month of May), Black Hawk Lake (Highland), Wyalusing State Park(Bagley), (Mirror Lake (Baraboo) and Governor Dodge State Park (Dodgeville); Libraries in Boscobel, Westby, Darlington, Mineral Point, Dodgeville, Barneveld, Ridgeway, Cobb & Montfort Library
• Suicide Memorial Walk
• Distributed 250 orange stocking caps (donated by VA) to rural community members advertising the new #988 suicide hotline.

 Education & Collaboration:

•  QPR Training's - 35 People trained in 2022: Wisconsin Society of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health and Rehabilitation & Viroqua Library
• Community Group spoke to about Stress, Depression or Suicide: Presentation to gun owners in Iowa County, 
• Partnerships: Ridgeway Volunteer Library, Southwestern WI Library System, VA Hospital, SWTC Blue Line Club, Starlite 14 Drive in Theatre, Farmers Angel Network, & Pepsi
• School wide focus to Suicide Prevention and Awareness consulting/presenting: St. Joes Dodgeville, Mineral Point School District, Barneveld Schools, Cuba City, & Dodgeville High School
• Facebook Live Videos - Focus on resources, education and breaking down stigmas.

 Mental Health Access:

• Due to COVID we have encouraged people to reach out online to services.
• Community Kindness Project in Ridgeway 3rd Tuesday of each month highlighting an easy at home mental health technique and completing an act of kindness.
• 35 books purchased and distributed upon request to Southwestern WI schools, libraries, and jails.

 2021

Suicide Awareness: (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

• Awareness Night at Sporting events: Driftless Area Foundation Ice Fisheree 
• Media :Televised & Radio Interviews / Coverage: January, March, May, September Channel 47 commercial.
• Live Stream Vet Focused Commercials November.
• Pam Jahnke "Farm Babe" Interview (click to listen)
• Stephanie Hoff - Midwest Farm Report
• Fundraisers - Dodgeball Tournament, Helicopter Golf Ball Drop
• T-Shirt Design Competition (May)
• Community Campaign- Year to date: 1,715 Shirts in the community
• 2021 Total Shirts: May- 232 , Sept. 239
• Suicide Shoe Memorial in Mineral Point, WI starting Memorial Day weekend (2 weeks)
• Business Window Display - May & September in Mineral Point.
• Mental Health Awareness Week Events: Yoga, walks, pontoon rides, gift bags, & Journals. Partner with Black Hawk Lake, Mineral Point Schools, Exhale Fitness, High Barr Dance, Libraries: Barneveld, Darlington, Cobb, Mineral Point & Lancaster. Desiree’s Hair Salon, Point Food, Hook Cheese, Upland Hills Medical Center, Richland Center Hospital for hosting Mental Health Activities.
• Suicide Memorial Walk

Education & Collaboration:

• QPR Training's - 37 People trained in 2021: Lancaster Library, Cuba City Schools
• Community Group spoke to about Stress, Depression or Suicide: Southwestern WI Behavior Health Summit, UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Farm Center (DATCP), as partners on the Wisconsin Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network
• Partnerships: VA Hospital, Driftless Area Foundation of Prairie du Chien, Southwestern WI Behavior Health Summit Committee, UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Farm Center (DATCP), as partners on the Wisconsin Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network
• School wide focus to Suicide Prevention and Awareness consulting/presenting: Mineral Point School District, DeSoto Schools.
• Facebook Live Videos 2nd Wednesday of each month 7:00pm - Focus on resources, education and breaking down stigmas.

Mental Health Access:

• Due to COVID we have encouraged people to reach out online to services.

2020

Suicide Awareness: (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

•  Awareness Night at Sporting events: 
• Seneca @ North Crawford (Boys & Girls Basketball)
• Waukon @ Prairie du Chien (Boys & Girls Basketball)
• Wauzeka-Steuben @ Seneca (Boys Basketball)
• Highland Little Britches Rodeo
• Media :Televised & Radio Interviews / Coverage 
• Jason Meadows, "Ag State of Mind"  (Pod Cast)
• Dodgeville Chronicle
• Sky Chadde - IMIdwest- USA Today "Seeds of Despair"
• Joshua Hersh - Vice News (Skype interview)
• Farmer Focused Public Service Announcement (PSA) (full month March, April, May)
• Radio PSA (weekly May)
• Newspaper PSA (weekly May)
• Fundraisers - Dodgeball Tournament, Helicopter Golf Ball Drop
• T-Shirt Design Competition (May)
• Community Campaign- Year to date: 1,244 
• 2020 totals sold : 42 (May), 

• Suicide Shoe Memorial in Mineral Point, WI starting Memorial Day weekend (2 weeks)
• COVID-19:
• Distributed suicide prevention Pens to Feed Mills, Veterinarians, Milk Truck Haulers to carry in their vehicles (Iowa, Grant, Lafayette Counties)
•  Placed Suicide Prevention Information Cards in To-Go Lunches of students over 4000 cards distributed with many more sent virtually to families in 21 schools through out 7 counties.

Education & Collaboration:

• QPR Training's - People trained in 2020: 25
• Wisconsin Funeral Directors Group 
• Community Group spoke to about Stress, Depression or Suicide:
• Commodity Classic 2020 - San Antonio - National Farmer Lead Farmer Focused Ag Education
• UW Madison School of Veterinary Science, Bovine Club
• Wisconsin Funeral Home Director
• Partnerships:
• Projects continued on Independently SPCICWI helped start: LaFayette Co. (County Wide Sports Night), Farmers Angels Network in Sauk County (Loganville monthly support group), SWCAP Farmer Focused Suicide Prevention in Western WI.
• Exhale Fitness (Dodgeville) Campaign on full body and mind fitness
• School wide focus to Suicide Prevention and Awareness consulting/presenting:

Mental Health Access:

• SOS (Survivors of Suicide) peer support group meetings 2nd Thursday of each month. Suspended due to COVID
• Providing free monthly QPR Trainings in Iowa County open to the public (CLICK HERE FOR A SCHEDULE) Suspended due to COVID

2019

 Suicide Awareness: (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

• Awareness Night at Sporting events: 
• East VS West Conference (Partnership with Mental Health Matters Lafayette Co) (Basketball) 
• Potosi @ Barneveld
• Benton @ Black Hawk
• Shullsburg @ Pecatonica
• Cassville @ Monticello
• River Ridge @ Albany
• Highland @ Argyle
• Belmont @ Juda
• Southwestern @ Darlington
• Iowa Grant VS Mineral Point (Basketball & youth cheer camp)
• Seneca VS North Crawford (Basketball)
• Barneveld VS Belmont (Baseball) (Facebook link)
• Televised & Radio Interviews / Coverage 
• Channel 47 Public Service Announcement 2019 - March, April, 
• Dannkia Lewis & Leah Linscheid. Ch. 3 Morning Show:  
• Farmer Summit Loganville WI with Dale Meyer & Sue Springer Judd
• Dodgeball Tournament
• At the Dodgeball Tournament
• Pam Jahnke: Radio Interview of Farmer Stress & Suicide Summit in Loganville
• Dodgeville Chronicle
• Country Today 
• Wisconsin State Journal Front Page Article Researched & Written by David Wahlberg.
• Wisconsin Public Radio interview of Sue Springer Judd, interviewed by Rob Ferrett
• Queen Bee Radio Interview for Dodgeball Tournament interviewed by Daryl Fischer
• WVRQ-FM Interview by Karen Dahl 6 segment series on Suicide Prevention
• Bloomberg Article
• Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Bryan
• Japanese public network called NHK who produces educational programs for Japanese population. Documentary on Farmer suicide using our PSA.
• Fundraisers - Dodgeball Tournament, Helicopter Golf Ball Drop
• Speaker @ Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Annual Statewide Conference & Southwestern WI Behavior Health Summit
• Community Campaign- Year to date: 1,202 T-shirts worn on Fridays.
• 2019 totals sold : May- 85, Sept. - 250
• Suicide Shoe Memorial in Mineral Point, WI starting Memorial Day weekend (2 weeks)

Education & Collaboration:

• QPR Training's - People trained in 2019: 249
• Platteville Hospital Main Campus - Southwest Health
• Wis. Dept of Ag, Farm Center (Mediators & Advisors Training)
• Teen Advisory  Board (Community Based Group), Lancaster, WI
• Monthly training held in Iowa County at Health & Human Services Bldg and Hospital
• Community Group spoke to about Stress, Depression or Suicide:
• Cheese Country 4-H, Monroe, WI (2)
• Girls Group (4-5 gr.) in Barneveld, Wi
• St. Peters Church, Loganville, WI
• UCC Church in Barneveld, WI
• Iowa County Court House Staff, Dodgeville, WI
• Iowa County Dept of Human and Social Services, Dodgeville, WI
• Mothers Demand Action, Spring Green, WI
• Leadership Development Day, Richland Center, WI
• Kayla Shemak, Junior Project: Steak DInner for Area Farmers, Highland, WI
• Southwest Community Action Program Gala honoring Suicide Prevention, Barneveld, WI
• Partnerships:
• Stress Among the Farming Community & Suicide Awareness Forum, Loganville,WI
• Has become "Farmers Angel Network", Sauk County with county wide efforts
• Sauk County Nurses Office, Crawford County Public Health Educator, Lands End,
• Mother's Demand Action- wellness fair & distribute Gun locks to Sauk, Richland and Iowa County.
• Upland Hills Health - Distribute Posters and Gun Locks to their clinics 
• Crawford County Public Health & Human Services - Suicide Awareness Month Banner Campaign & County Wide Sports Night
• School wide focus to Suicide Prevention and Awareness consulting/presenting: Seneca, Barneveld, Dodgeville, Mt. Horeb

Mental Health Access:

• SOS (Survivors of Suicide) peer support group meetings 2nd Thursday of each month.
• Veterans Support Group meeting 3rd Thursday 8:00am of each month @ Cobblestone Coffee House
• Providing free monthly QPR Trainings in Iowa County open to the public (CLICK HERE FOR A SCHEDULE)

2018   

 Suicide Awareness: (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

• Awareness Night at Sporting events - 
• Dodgeville VS Prairie Du Chien (Basketball)
•  Iowa-Grant VS Cuba City (Basketball)
• Barneveld VS Shullsburg/ Benton (Softball)
•  Highland Little Britches (Rodeo)
•  Mineral Point VS Fennimore (Volleyball)
• Barneveld VS Black Hawk (Volleyball)
• Community Campaign (total year to date 782)- Businesses/schools wear Suicide Prevention T-Shirts on Fridays in May (345) (Mental Health Month) , September (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month) and November 17 (27) (National Suicide Survivors Day)
• Suicide Memorial Shoe Display -  Sunday, May 27, 2018 Mineral Point 
• Suicide Memorial Walk July 7th, 2018 in Ridgeway, WI
• Fundraisers
• Helicopter Golf Ball Drop- July 7, 2018 Ridgeway,WI 
•  Public Service Announcements (PSA) - (Click underlined title to view)
• Farmer Focused PSA 30 Sec. version and 2:30 minute longer version
• Channel 47 (Mid Dec.(2017) - Mid Jan.) & Channel 3 (February).  
• Newspaper Public Service Announcements
• Pam Janhke interview & Airing farmer focused PSA
• Dannika Lewis Channel 3 coverage of sports nights & interviews for segment.
• Dannika Lewis Channel 3 Farmers and Men talking about Suicide.
• Caroline Peterson Channel 15 Interview about Farm Focused PSA
• Caroline Peterson Channel 15 Interview about Farmers First Bill and how it will help rural communities

Education & Collaboration:

• QPR Trainings - People trained in 2018: 674
• Barneveld School Staff
• village of Dickeyville
• Reedsburg Hospital (3)
• Lancaster City Hall (2)
• Lands End Leads: Dodgeville (4) and Reedsburg (2) and Stevens Point (2)
• Cassville Schools Staff
• Richland Center Hospital (2)
• Dodgeville High School Staff
• UW Platteville (Staff, Students & Community)
• Epione Pavillion Nursing Home Platteville
• Added 6 counties (Grant, LaFayette, Richland, Sauk, Crawford & Vernon) & 30 School Districts to Monthly Newsletter
• Paid for 2 more QPR Trainers to get trained. (Total 10 since 2015)
• Girls Group (4-5 gr.) in Barneveld- Suicide Prevention, Anger Management
• School wide focus to Suicide Prevention and Awareness- Dodgeville, Seneca, Highland, Mt. Horeb Schools in addition to consulted with Barneveld School District on mental health focus for the school year.
• Mental Health Matters in Lafayette County mental health week supplied suicide materials & QPR Trainings. UW Platteville Mental Health Summit collaboration with 5 counties.
• Partner with David Hosking, Wisconsin VA, to provide monthly Veterans Support Group.
• On Board that is creating "Mental Health Matters" in Iowa County
• UW Extension Office of Iowa County & Upland Hills Health, "Farmer Focus, Family Focused". 
• Grace Lutheran Church of Dodgeville, Depression and the Holidays talk.

Mental Health Access:

• SOS (Survivors of Suicide) peer support group meetings 2nd Thursday of each month.
• Veterans Support Group meeting 3rd Thursday of each month @ Upland Hills Health
• Created brochure of resources for funeral home directors to share with families that are grieving a suicide.

2017

Suicide Awareness : (Titles are underlined click on to see photos/ video/article)

•  Night at Sporting event in the schools: (Click underlined title to view photos)
•  Dodgeville vs River Valley (Basketball)
•  Iowa-Grant vs Southwestern (basketball)
• Memorial Day Shoe Display
• Dodgeville Middle School holds School wide assembly - Watch video
• Community Campaign- 410 Shirts were distributed to businesses and schools to wear on Fridays in May (Mental Health Month) & September (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month)
• Created Poster focused on Medical or Incarcerated setting & Agricultural settings
•  Suicide Memorial Walk July 4th, 2017 Memorial Walk interview on Channel 3 and Channel 47
• Interview with Pam Jahnke "Farm Babe". 
• Dodgeball - Dannika Lewis Channel 3 
• Fundraisers
• Spaghetti Dinner by St. Mary/Paul Catholic Confirmation Group.
• Helicopter Golf Ball Drop 
• Dodgeball Tournament 
• Public Service Announcements (PSA) -  (Click underlined title to view)
• Team with Wisconsin Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to place a billboard in Iowa County thanks to the Donations in Memory of Jeffery Sweeney.
• Channel 47 (Month of February) & Channel 3 (mid February to Mid March).  
• Movie Theatres in Dodgeville, Lancaster, Boscobel, & Platteville - Full year.
• Radio Public Service & Newspaper Public Service Announcements
• Created Symbol for teachers to put on their doors so staff and students know it's a safe place to talk about suicide. Approved through DPI.

Education & Collaboration:

• QPR Trainings - People trained in 2017:  258 
• Barneveld EMT
• Hidden Valley Church (2)
• MP EMT
• MP School Staff
• Montfort (reps from Livingston/Rewey/Cobb) EMT
• Edgewood College nursing 
• Present to Community Service Groups - MP Kiwanis, MP School Staff
• Paid for training QPR Presenters. (5 trained)
• Updated Suicide Resource Brochures and business cards for schools & community.

Mental Health Access:

• Day of Bliss (2)- afternoon of free relaxation and art therapy

• SOS Peer Support group 2nd Thursday of each Month

 2016

Suicide Awareness:

•  Host Suicide Memorial Walk
• Helicopter Golf Ball Drop Fundraiser
• Radio Public Service & Newspaper Public Service Announcements that will go throughout 2016.

Education & Collaboration:

• Launched Campaign with 13 Chamber of Commerce & 12 School Districts
•  QPR Trained in Iowa Co. - People trained in 2016 over 200 - 
• Upland Hills Health
• UW-Extension Office
• WI Dept of Ag
• St. Mary's/Paul's Catholic Church 
• UCC Church Mineral Point.
• Partnered with Upland Hills Health Also, distributed table top brochure holders to all medical centers in Iowa County displaying the Suicide Prevention Resources in Iowa County brochures.

Mental Health Care Access:

• Sponsored Art Therapy Sessions for Grief & Loss, along with Stress Relief.
• SOS Peer Support group 2nd Thursday of each Month

2015

 Suicide Awareness:

• Fundraiser- Helicopter Golf Ball Drop 
• Started Suicide Memorial Walk

Eduction & Collaboration:

• Mental Health Fair with CESA #3
• QPR Training of Trainers (3 trained in Iowa Co)
• Survivors of Suicide Support Group Facilitator Training (SOS)
• Partnership with: Iowa County Sheriffs Department, Upland Hills Health
• Presented to community action groups & county board committee

 Mental Health Access:

• Started SOS Support Group

2014   July started the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Iowa County WI

 Suicide Awareness:

•  Presented to CESA #3 superintendents meeting 
• Created and printed 1500 suicide resource brochures and distributed them throughout Iowa County.
• website set up: www.Suicide-IowaCountyWI.org
• Facebook page: Suicide Prevention Coalition of Iowa County WI
• Suicide prevention information monthly in Church bulletins, CESA#3 Newsletter, Veterans affairs, Compassionate Friends & ADRC

Education & Collaberation:

• Partnership with CESA #3 

Mental Health Access:

• Hired Journey Mental Health Crisis Center to present on mental health issues related to suicide 1x each month.