STAY; Your Story's Not Over 5K Walk/Run

STAY; Your Story’s Not Over is being held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 in downtown Baroda, MI. Please join us for the run/walk event as we work together to raise awareness. The BCSPC is striving to connect the community of Berrien County to the information and resources they need for emotional wellness, thereby helping prevent suicide.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 20-34 and overall, the 12th leading cause of death in the US. 54% of Americans have been affected by suicide in some way. In Michigan 64% of communities did not have enough mental health providers to serve residents in 2023, according to federal guidelines (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org). The Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition, an advisory committee of Riverwood Center, has noted there are around 20 suicides each year in Berrien County.

What is the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition (BCSPC)?
In December 2012, twenty-two concerned citizens met over lunch to discuss the need for suicide prevention in Berrien County and what could be done.

​Since that time, the involvement of many primary interest groups in the community such as Riverwood, Lakeland HealthCare, Berrien County Health Department, Berrien RESA, and others has been gained.

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As of the summer of 2014, the group officially became an advisory committee of Berrien County Mental Health Authority (Riverwood) and can receive tax-deductible contributions.

​Meetings are open to the public. They are normally held on the third Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 pm, either at Lakeland Medical Center or Riverwood Center.