SHAWANO, WI – Suicide and depression are often subjects left in the shadows, but Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner says their impact is both real and heartbreaking.
“In 2022, the United States hit a record number,” Lenzner said. “We lost 49,500 people to suicide.”
Those numbers are felt close to home. Lenzner says Shawano County has lost five lives to suicide in just the past two years. For him, the issue is also personal.
“One of the reasons I’m on ROADS is I lost a brother to suicide years ago,” Lenzner shared. “Everybody deals with the loss of a family member differently.”
ROADS, a local group dedicated to awareness and support, is hosting its remembrance event tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Shawano Civic Center. The gathering will feature food, crafts, and personal stories, offering the community a chance to pause, reflect, and shine a light on the struggles of depression and suicide.
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