THIS CAN'T WAIT!

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"There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in." -- Bishop Desmond Tutu

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There are many Minnesota non-profits working toward mental illness awareness and suicide prevention. Still, in 2019, we saw suicide rates double what they were just 10 years prior. All this before the COVID pandemic changed the world.

And though statistics show a reduction in the overall suicide rate from 2019 to 2020, we still saw a rise among specific populations. We also know that between home and school disruptions, isolation, housing/food/financial insecurities and loss of life brought on by the pandemic, as well as the continuous upheaval surrounding social injustice in Minnesota during the last 18 months - the increase in anxiety and depression has increased among ALL age groups. This may very well be the calm before the coming storm...

Our goals are the same, yet we are instruments playing solo parts in the chaotic world of mental illness. It’s time to look at this process in a new light, and start creating some harmony.

On Saturday, May 22nd, we invite community leaders from Minnesota's small to medium non-profits who work directly and indirectly to affect a change to this very preventable issue to join together for a summit to share ideas and create a plan of action before we lose one more precious life. THIS CAN’T WAIT!

This event will be held both as a COVID-responsible live event in the Twin Cities metro area (venue TBA), and streamed on ZOOM. Registration is required, as live venue attendance limits will be observed.

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For questions, please contact:

Chris Shaw, Executive Director - The Heart and Mind Connection at: chris@theheartandmindconnection.org