Walking Toward Tomorrow: Community Comes Together for Suicide & Mental Health Awareness
Two walks. One message of hope: You are not alone.
Sometimes, the most important thing we can do for someone who is struggling is simply to remind them that they are not alone.
This September, communities across Sawyer County will come together to do just that.
The Walk for Tomorrow, a Suicide & Mental Health Awareness Walk, will take place in both Hayward and Winter, bringing people together to remember loved ones lost to suicide, support those who are struggling, and shine a light on the importance of mental health and connection.
The walk is an opportunity to honor the past while looking toward the future. A future where talking about mental health is met with understanding, where people know where to turn for help, and where no one feels they have to face a difficult moment alone.
“Walk for Tomorrow” is more than a name. It is a message.
It is for the person who is struggling today.
It is for the family carrying the pain of losing someone they love.
It is for the friend who wants to know how to help.
It is for those who have walked through their own mental health challenges and found a reason to keep going.
And it is for every community member who believes that hope is something worth sharing.
In addition to the walk, local health organizations, mental health professionals, wellness groups, and community partners will be on hand with informational tables. Attendees can learn about mental health services and support programs available locally, discover healthy outlets and self-care strategies, and learn how to recognize when a friend or loved one may be experiencing a crisis.
The events are free and open to everyone. Families, friends, schools, local agencies, and community members are encouraged to attend. You do not have to have a personal connection to suicide or mental health challenges to participate. Sometimes, simply showing up is one of the most powerful ways to show someone that they matter.
Two Walks. One Community.
The first Walk for Tomorrow will be held Friday, September 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hayward High School Track, located at 10320 N. Greenwood Ln., Hayward.
The second walk will take place Saturday, September 19, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Winter School Track, located at 6585 Grove St., Winter.
Holding the event in two communities allows the message to reach even more people across the county while giving residents an opportunity to participate close to home.
T-shirts are available for $20, with all proceeds being given back to the Winter, LCO, and Hayward schools to support mental health efforts within the schools. T-shirts may be purchased with cash or check.
For T-shirt information, contact Stacey Hessel at staceyhessel1973@gmail.com.
Community organizations are also invited to be part of the event by hosting an informational table and sharing the resources they provide. Organizations interested in reserving a table can contact:
Jessica Bjork — 715-934-9320 — jbjork@sawyercounty.gov
Stacey Hessel — staceyhessel1973@gmail.com
Caroline Graf — cgraf@winterwarriors.org
Suicide and mental health struggles do not discriminate. They can touch any family, any school, any workplace, and any community. Creating opportunities to talk openly, connect people with resources, and remind one another that help is available can make a difference.
On September 18 and 19, Sawyer County is invited to walk together — not only in remembrance of those we have lost, but in support of those who are still here and in hope for those who are struggling.
Bring your family. Bring a friend. Bring your hope.
Together, we can bring light to the darkness of suicide and mental health struggles.
Let’s walk in remembrance. Let’s walk in support. Let’s walk in hope.
Let’s Walk for Tomorrow.