A Year of Hope, Healing, and Showing Up
As we reflect on 2025, one thing is clear: the work of suicide prevention and mental-health support has never been more urgent — or more human.
Across Wisconsin and beyond, the Center for Suicide Awareness (CSA) showed up where people needed us most. In classrooms and community spaces. At large public events and quiet peer groups. In moments of crisis and moments of healing. Together with our partners, supporters, and volunteers, we turned compassion into action and presence into prevention.
Why This Work Matters Now
Across Wisconsin, the suicide rate has increased 15% over the past decade. The need for accessible, stigma-free mental-health support continues to grow — especially for youth, first responders, veterans, and caregivers.
In 2025, with your support, CSA responded to that need by reaching thousands of individuals through 204 activities across 15 counties, offering prevention education, crisis support, connection, and hope.
2025 Impact at a Glance
- 204 activities and events across Wisconsin
- 15 counties served
- 810 first responders trained and supported
- 2,600+ youth and students reached through prevention programming
- 375 veterans supported through direct outreach and resource distribution
- HOPELINE™ available 24/7, providing free, confidential emotional support
- 1,300 bars statewide displaying suicide prevention messaging through the Tavern League partnership.
Behind every number is a person — and often, a moment when someone realized they were not alone.
Statewide Visibility & Community Trust
During the summer, CSA was honored to serve as Nonprofit of the Day at Packers Training Camp. Over the course of the day, more than 300 people stopped to say thank you.
Some shared stories of losing someone they loved. Others quietly shared that they survived a night they never thought they would. Each person offered a piece of their story — and in their own way, every one of them said the same thing:
“We are glad you are here.”
That moment reflected both the trust our community places in CSA and the real, ongoing need for visible mental-health support.
A New Storefront in Kaukauna
In 2025, thanks to the generous support of the Corey and Kristy Stumpf Charitable Fund,, CSA opened a new storefront in Kaukauna — a warm, welcoming, barrier-free space where anyone can walk in and find support, resources, and connection.
The storefront now hosts:
- Support groups
- Mental-health gaming and wellness programming
- Training and workshops
- Youth activities
- Crisis prevention education
- A compassionate drop-in space with no forms or referrals required
This space has already changed lives by making help visible and accessible.
The Just Live Corner: Barrier-Free Prevention
One of the most impactful additions to the storefront this year was the Just Live Corner, made possible through a generous donation from Just Live, Inc.
This take-what-you-need space offers free mental-health tools, including:
- Coping Critters and Breathing Bears
- Fidgets and grounding tools
- Sensory supports
- Mental-health strategy cards
- Self-harm alternative guides
- Sleep and calm kits
No forms. No barriers. Just help and hope.
This space helps prevent crisis escalation by offering immediate support tools before distress becomes overwhelming.
Reset & Recharge Retreat House — Now Open
Located in Clintonville, thanks to the generous donation of Kelly and Debbie Rousseau, CSA opened the Reset & Recharge Retreat House, a peaceful environment designed for rest, reflection, and reconnection.
The retreat house supports:
- Veteran and first responder retreats
- Caregiver wellness experiences
- Educator decompression
- Grief and resilience gatherings
- Mindfulness and mental-wellness programming
This serene space provides time and space to breathe, heal, and rebuild resilience.
Expanding Nationwide: Yerbana Joins CSA
In 2025, CSA expanded its reach beyond Wisconsin through a new partnership with Yerbana, our Seattle-based wellness division.
Yerbana programming includes:
- Yoga in the park
- Community wellness gatherings
- Youth engagement
- Inclusive, movement-based mental-health spaces
This partnership represents CSA’s commitment to meeting communities where they are — using connection, movement, and accessibility to reduce isolation and strengthen resilience nationwide.
National Recognition: VetREC Impact Amplifier Grant
CSA was selected nationally to receive VetREC’s Impact Amplifier Grant, providing $10,000 in professional research and evaluation services.
This recognition strengthens CSA’s ability to:
- Measure outcomes more effectively
- Strengthen data and reporting
- Expand veteran and first-responder programming
- Build sustainable, evidence-informed support
Youth & Schools: Prevention Starts Early
Throughout 2025, CSA spent countless hours with students across Wisconsin — especially through weekly Mental Health Tuesday sessions at Kaukauna High School.
Youth programming included:
- Journaling and creative expression
- Soap pouring and tie-dye
- Essential-oil roll-ons
- Keychains and bracelets
- Slime workshops
- Mental-wellness games
- Merry Mental Health Week
These hands-on experiences taught emotional regulation, coping skills, and help-seeking behaviors students will carry into adulthood.
Support Groups That Save Lives
CSA facilitated dozens of peer-led and professionally supported spaces in 2025, including:
- Survivors of Suicide Loss
- Alternatives to Suicide
- Youth and teen support groups
- Grief groups
- Senior emotional support
- Holiday stress support
- Men’s and women’s gathering groups
No one should ever have to navigate mental-health challenges or loss alone.
Training the Helpers
CSA provided life-saving education and training to:
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- EMS and dispatch
- Educators
- Caregivers
- Social workers
- Peer specialists
- Bartenders and hospitality workers
Training topics included suicide prevention, crisis response, grounding techniques, emotional regulation, resilience, and trauma-informed practices — expanding the safety net far beyond traditional clinical settings.
Gaming for Good: Connection as Prevention
CSA continued expanding its innovative mental-health gaming approach through:
- The Nintendo Switch Wellness Program
- School Resource Officer engagement
- College wellness initiatives
- Partnerships with Team: Changing Minds and Pixel Care
- National presence at PAX East and FlameCon
Gaming builds connection — and connection saves lives.
HOPELINE™: Support When It’s Needed Most
Throughout 2025, CSA kept HOPELINE™ (Text 741741) available 24/7, free and confidential, so anyone experiencing emotional distress could reach trained support the moment they needed it most.
HOPELINE™ remains a critical part of CSA’s crisis prevention infrastructure.
Showing Up for Our Community
CSA participated in more than 100 community events in 2025, including:
- National Night Out events
- Hydro Park concerts
- Packers Training Camp
- Suicide Prevention Walks
- Senior Expos
- Community festivals
- Women’s Fund events
- Fundraisers
- Veteran connection events
-
Give Big Green Bay
Every event carried the same message: you are not alone.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move into 2026, CSA remains focused on expanding access to prevention, strengthening data and evaluation, deepening partnerships, and continuing to build spaces — physical and emotional — where people feel safe asking for help before crisis strikes.
Thank You
Your generosity made 2025 possible.
Your belief keeps our doors open.
Your support saves lives.
Hope is still here. And so are we.
Need Support?
Text HOPELINE™ to 741741
Free • Confidential • 24/7