POLK COUNTY SUICIDE AWARENESS WALK - Mental Health Task Force of Polk County

The Polk County Suicide Awareness Walk takes place each year on the third Saturday in September at Pine Park in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, during Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Community members gather from across the region to walk together in support, remembrance, and hope while raising vital funds for local suicide prevention efforts.

This annual event offers a welcoming space to honor loved ones, connect with others, learn about local resources, and stand together as a community committed to saving lives.

Event Details

Location: Pine Park, Balsam Lake, WI
Time: Morning activities typically run from approximately 8:00 AM to noon
When: Third Saturday in September each year

(Check the Events Calendar or Walk registration page each year for exact times, schedule updates, and featured speakers.)

A Day of Connection and Hope

The Walk traditionally includes:

Keynote speaker sharing a message of hope, healing, and resilience
5K memorial run-walk around Balsam Lake, with memorial signs displayed along the route in remembrance of loved ones lost to suicide and in honor of those impacted
Community resource fair featuring local mental health and suicide prevention organizations and supports
Food trucks and live music, with time to gather and connect as a community
Formal remembrance activity, such as a dove release

Specific activities and guests may vary each year, but the purpose remains the same: coming together to support one another and strengthen suicide prevention in Polk County.

Our Story

The Polk County Suicide Awareness Walk was founded in 2016 by Tristan and Scott Divine. After Tristan lost her son, Jordan, to suicide in 2015, she made the courageous decision to turn her grief into action. She wanted to create a space for healing, raise awareness, and ensure that funds raised would directly support people in our own community.

What began as a personal mission has grown into a powerful annual event that has brought together thousands of participants and raised tens of thousands of dollars for suicide prevention efforts in Polk County.

Hosted by the Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, the Walk is more than an event. It is a day of hope, connection, healing, and awareness. It offers a place to honor loved ones lost to suicide, support those who are struggling, and remind one another that no one has to face challenges alone.

What Your Support Makes Possible

Every dollar raised through the Walk stays local and helps fund critical suicide prevention efforts, including:
Youth suicide prevention work in Polk County schools
Support for Polk County families attending Camp LIVIN suicide bereavement camp
Mental Health Task Force suicide prevention programs, trainings, and community outreach

Together, these efforts help build a stronger, more informed, and more supportive community.