MIKE PEARSON, owner of Brick + Mortar, gives Tracy Johnson of Great Lakes Recovery Centers $2,500 he raised by selling “D13” merchandise in memory of David Furno, who died in October. Pearson had created the custom “D13” icon to help increase awareness of mental health. Furno’s parents, Mike and Debbie Furno, will lead the sixth-annual Hope 2 Help Suicide Awareness Walk and Community Day on Sunday, Sept. 17, in the Midtown Mall parking lot in iron Mountain. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Some people walk to improve their health and well-being. Participants of the Hope 2 Help event will walk for the health and well-being of others.

The Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care hosts the event to raise suicide awareness and help end the stigma of dealing with mental health issues.

The sixth-annual Hope 2 Help Suicide Awareness Walk and Community Day takes place Sunday, Sept. 17, in the Midtown Mall parking lot in Iron Mountain. The day will kick off at 1 p.m. with featured speaker Phil Gardiepy of Northpointe Behavior Healthcare System.

“The day was created as a way to support local families impacted by suicide and also educate as many community members as we can about mental health,” said Tracy Johnson, Great Lakes Recovery Prevention Services director and Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care coordinator. “We want everyone to know we are all the same — some just facing larger struggles than others. We are here to help.”

The event is conducted each September to coincide with National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.

“Statistics from 2020 to 2022 showed that Dickinson County had 75 suicide completions,” Johnson said. “This number doesn’t include overdose deaths.”

The number one contributing risk factor is anxiety and depression, Johnson added.

“I can’t stress enough to those feeling overwhelmed to seek out assistance,” she said. “We need to get people talking about it.”

Mike and Debbie Furno, who lost their son David last October after a battle with mental illness, will lead this year’s one-mile walk.

“Deb will also read the poem that she wrote for her son during the ceremonies,” Johnson said.

The Furnos will be joined by other family members and friends, along with his lifelong friend Mike Pearson.

After David Furno’s death, Pearson, owner of Brick + Mortar, developed a custom icon featuring “D13,” in remembrance and to increase awareness of mental health.

“He was a big online gamer and gave himself the name ‘D13,'” Pearson said. “His lucky number was 13.”

Almost a year later, Pearson recently donated funds raised from the “D13” merchandise to Great Lakes Recovery Center in memory of David Furno.

“I felt it was a perfect time, as it was David’s birthday Saturday (today),” said Pearson, adding that “D13” T-shirts and stickers are still available at his downtown Iron Mountain store.

A large portion of the proceeds raised from the walk will go toward the new loss team established in Dickinson and Iron counties, Johnson said.

Members will receive training and will work in collaboration with the sheriff’s departments that dispatch the unit to a suicide-related crisis.

The loss team will include at least one person who has experienced this loss and another trained individual, Johnson said.

“We are not only there to provide information, but to support them and help them get through the process,” she said. “Even if it’s just to lend a tissue or someone to cry with.”

The team will remain in contact with loved ones to reach out if they need more support or grief counseling.

Other funding from the local event goes to QPR Gatekeeper Training that helps identify warning signs of suicide and what to do if someone is at risk.

Johnson also explained there are organizations such as Six Feet Over and Lemon Aid that can provide financial help during that difficult time.

Depending on the funds at the time, the groups assist with funeral costs, biocleaning services, grave markers and other expenses.

New for this year’s Hope 2 Help day, Communities That Care will offer memorial candles for a freewill donation. “You will be able to write in memory of someone with a marker and take it with you on the walk,” she said.

About 11 community resources will be present to provide information on services they offer.

Music will be provided by local acoustic duo Norton & Chartier.

They have more than 50 raffle baskets, valued from $100 to $500 each. Attendees will be able to purchase raffle tickets throughout the event. Donations of raffle items are still welcome.

Communities That Care will again sell suicide awareness T-shirts the day of the event. Kenneth James Salon is raising funds as well and has T-shirts available to support the cause.

Kids can also enjoy face painting, balloon animals, a bounce house, and coloring station at the Midtown Mall.

The Hope 2 Help Suicide Awareness Walk and Community Day is open to the public.

“Although they appreciate donations at any time, they encourage the community to come to the event,” Johnson said. “We are hoping for a great turnout.”

Donations can be mailed to the Great Lakes Recovery Center at 1115 S. Hemlock St., Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

Those who are struggling with issues can call Great Lake Recovery Center directly 906-458-2627 or text 1-800-35NEEDS, which is a 24-hour local outreach program.

“If you know someone in trouble, help them make that call or text,” Johnson said. “We want everyone to realize there are outlets available and help out there.”