September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the PICK’M Up Suicide Prevention Coalition hopes to bring residents from across East Central Minnesota together to turn a difficult conversation into a message of hope.
The coalition invites the public to lace up for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Community Awareness Run & Walk. The annual event, planned for Saturday, Sept. 19, in Mora, is open to anyone ready to walk in support of mental health and suicide awareness.
Additionally, the event is a way to honor loved ones who have died by suicide; a memory wall will be on hand where friends and families can share images and memories.
This year’s walk will begin at 9 a.m. at Mora High School and head south along Grove Street, with a turnaround just south of the Kanabec History Museum. Walkers and runners will then return to the high school.
“We have multiple vendors that have signed up to join us this year that will have information and resources available for participants and community members,” said East Central Regional Suicide Prevention Coordinator Brianne McClellan.
Additionally, organizers hope to offer kid- and family-friendly activities.
“We already know that there will be bubbles and a football toss as well as other fun activities,” McClellan said, adding that water, coffee, fruit and other refreshments, such as granola bars, will be available courtesy of Kwik Trip.
Participants in the run/walk will get a T-shirt, while supplies last.
Recent reports
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, preliminary data from 2025 indicate more than 800 Minnesotans are estimated to have died by suicide in each of the last five years.
“However, rates have been lower for three years after peaking in 2022,” MDH reports. “Projected totals, based on death certificates filed in Minnesota for the state’s residents, estimate the age-adjusted suicide rate in 2025 was 14.3 per 100,000 people.”
More males died by suicide than females. The male suicide rate was 23 per 100,000, almost four times higher than the rate for females, 5.8 per 100,000. Rural areas also had a higher rate of suicide.
The 2025 numbers are subject to change when MDH finalizes the report.
Necessity
McClellan stressed the importance of the walk, saying its purpose is to “raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues. We want people to know that they aren’t alone and that there is help available to them. We also want to help build connection within the community.”
PICK’M Up intends to rotate the walk each year through the five counties the organization represents: Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec and Mille Lacs. Last year’s walk was in Pine County; next year, it is expected to take place in Isanti County.
“The walk, as well as other resources provided by PICK’M, is funded through grants as well as generous donations from organizations and community members,” McClellan said.
PICK’M Up requests that participants pre-register to ensure enough refreshments and resources are available, but it is not required. To pre-register, scan the QR code accompanying this article.
“Same-day registration is absolutely an option,” McClellan said. “We want anyone and everyone to be able to participate.”
Join up!
McClellan further added that PICK’M Up “is always looking for new members, from all sectors, not just mental health or public health, to join us. The more perspectives we have, the better we can serve the community.”
The coalition meets on the third Friday of every month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Most meetings are held virtually; once a quarter, they are held in person, rotating locations throughout the five counties. In-person meetings run from 9 to 11 a.m.
“Even if people are not able to attend the meetings but would still like to participate in other ways, we also welcome feedback and input,” McClellan said. “People interested in joining the coalition or simply being added to the listserv can reach out to pickmupc@gmail.com”
Donations to the coalition are always welcome and help fund events like the annual run/walk. Cash-only donations will be accepted during the Sept. 19 event.
For more information, visit the PICK’M Up Facebook page or its Instagram.
If you or someone you love is in need of immediate support, call or text 988, text “MN” to 741741, or call Crisis Help at 800-523-3333.
