The Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition has received a boost from the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors.

Mary Couitcher is a volunteer with the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition and also an associate of the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors. She tells us when the realtors held their annual holiday luncheon and fundraising auction this year, they opted to support the coalition with the proceeds.

Couitcher says as suicides rise in Berrien County, it’s more important than ever to offer people help. That’s what the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition is all about.

“They promote the 988 yard sign, which is a national suicide crisis lifeline for anybody considering taking their lives or anyone who’s dealing, how to help somebody that they fear for,” Couitcher said. “So the coalition pours a lot of money into that, I think the Realtor Association really saw that and thought, ‘Yeah, we definitely want to support this because mental health really is getting more and more important to have a focus on it.”

Couitcher says the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors auction raised a total of $15,647. Half went to the Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and half went to the Will Help Foundation. She says the coalition will use the donation to continue spreading the word about mental health support services and promoting the 988 suicide crisis line.

In 2023, suicides were up 33% in Berrien County. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call 988 to be connected with help.