Mines and Lost&Found Will Spread Inspiring Messages and Hope Throughout the Community

September 04, 2024
Mines and Lost&Found Will Spread Inspiring Messages and Hope Throughout the Community
A kind word – even one written on the sidewalk – can change someone’s day and oftentimes someone’s life. South Dakota Mines Counseling Office and Lost&Found, a state organization that aims to do more to eliminate suicide among the nation’s young adults, are collaborating for the annual community Chalk the Walk this Thursday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in observance of National Suicide Prevention Month.

A kind word – even one written on the sidewalk – can change someone’s day and oftentimes someone’s life.

Whitney Bischoff, Lost&Found community prevention advisor, has heard the inspiring stories of the impact of the Chalk the Walk, an annual community-wide event that spreads heartfelt messages of kindness and hope.

 “We have had a number of our community members share with us the power of this event,” Bischoff said. “One person said they had a client that saw kindness messages at a similar event, and it showed them that it was a sign to ask for help.”

South Dakota Mines Counseling Office and Lost&Found, a state organization that aims to do more to eliminate suicide among the nation’s young adults, are collaborating for the annual community Chalk the Walk this Thursday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in observance of National Suicide Prevention Month.

“We will have buckets of chalk across the quad encouraging the Mines campus community in sharing inspirational messages with a goal of helping people understand the power of kindness in suicide prevention,” Bischoff said. “We also have volunteers that will lead students, staff and faculty along the path to view the various messaging.”

Nearly 30 businesses and nonprofit organizations are also participating in spreading chalk messages of hope across the city.

“The goal is promoting the power of kindness and the little things we can all do to contribute to suicide prevention,” Bischoff said.

In addition to the Chalk the Walk event Thursday, Lost&Found will hold a Stories of Resilience event Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 3 – 6 p.m. in the Pearson Alumni Center (PAC) ballroom on Mines campus. The community is invited to hear stories of youth and young adults who have overcome mental health challenges along with information on how to share hope through storytelling.

Earlier this summer, Lost & Found held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Mines Devereaux Library to celebrate its expansion to Rapid City.