Honoring Jackson

Website launched by family, other advocates, to honor those lost to suicide

By Nikki Rajala

When Jackson Roeder, 25, died by suicide on Feb. 17, 2017, the family’s grief was acute, each person reacting differently. His parents, Scott and Reyne, were overwhelmed and thought of him every minute. They couldn’t move forward. They wondered where to get mental health help. When the family attended support groups and counseling, they found they weren’t alone — and not being isolated gave them hope.

The Roeder family gathered to celebrate Reyne’s retirement in the spring of 2016. From left, they are Jaime, Michelle, Reyne, Scott, Cassie and Jackson. Photo courtesy of Scott Roeder

Over time, Scott channeled his grief energies into active advocacy for mental health, suicide awareness and prevention. In early September, he and other advocates launched a new website, www.helpingcentralmn.org.

“We created this site for people and their loved ones who struggle with mental health issues and/or substance use. We wanted a simple and easy-to-use tool so the community could access mental health services quickly. It’s focused on local resources in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Wright counties,” he said.

The home page opens with a welcome from a group of dedicated volunteers from Central Minnesota:

“We are parents who have lost children to suicide. We are mental health and substance use professionals who work with children, teens, adults, and families. We are concerned neighbors who believe in the power of community to support one another through difficult times. We built this resource to help you — or someone you care about — find the right support, right here in Central Minnesota, when it’s needed most.

“You are not alone. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, a loved one, or a friend, this website connects you to trusted, local mental health and wellness resources — many of which are available 24/7. We care. And we want you to be well.”

Those who visit the website are directed to select one of four subsections: Talk Now; Make an Appointment; Child and Family Resources; and Immediate Help. Each section has short videos on what callers can expect and paragraphs that describe the process.

“This site provides information on how to make an appointment with a mental health provider,” Scott said. “You can access resources that support children, adolescents, parents, and caregivers. Or, if an urgent house visit is needed, there’s contact information for mobile crisis teams.”

For example, if a person clicks on Talk Now, the site first asks if calling 911 is more appropriate. If not, it suggests choices — like the free 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24/7/365 via phone, text, and chat. Other local free and confidential resources include the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center (CMMHC) Hotline, also staffed 24/7/365, United Way 2-1-1, and Mental Health MN Warmline (which offers peer support). That section also reminds callers to look into resources available through their insurance or employee assistance program.

On the Immediate Help section, the first paragraph reads: “The CMMHC mobile team can come meet you in-person at your home, school, or in the community if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. This intervention occurs if you speak with the crisis hotline and need assistance beyond what you receive on the phone. The team will de-escalate and assess the situation, and help you make a short-term treatment plan. The team may also refer you to long-term support. This service is available to individuals in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties.”

He said that people looking for mental health resources may be overwhelmed and not know where to start.

“On the new site, they can get directed immediately,” he said. “We designed it so people can navigate right away to organizations that help. We’ve intentionally made it easy with welcoming videos. A ‘More’ button in each subcategory allows them to look at additional resources. This is a great place to start.”

Scott cited statistics about the seriousness of suicide awareness in Minnesota: One in five people experiences mental illness each year. In the last year, 17% of adults have experienced depression; among high school students, 37% reported symptoms of mental health problems. Seniors and veterans  are at particularly high risk.

When one person dies of suicide, 135 others feel the impact of that devastating loss — parents and siblings, other relatives, counselors, teachers, friends, classmates, neighbors, people in groups that person attended. Because of that suicide, those others are at higher risk for suicide themselves.

To share his artistic and architectural skills for prospective employers, Jackson had built a website portfolio — JacksonRoeder.com.

“I learned of this site after Jackson passed away — and took it over to honor his life, passions and struggles,” Scott said. “I’ve added local, state, and national resources on mental health, suicide prevention, intervention and postvention, to stomp the stigma of mental health and suicide. I also publish a monthly newsletter to share what we’re doing locally.”

On Jackson’s site, Scott wrote that through others sharing their stories about Jackson, he realized that hope is not lost. 

“Our family hopes to raise money for mental health, help those who need it, especially at a young age, and bring this terrible illness into the open,” Scott wrote. “There’s no reason to feel shame or discomfort when discussing mental health or seeking support. There is hope — and our hope is part of that.”

“We established the Jackson Roeder Legacy Fund through the CentraCare Foundation to further support mental health and suicide awareness and prevention,” he said. “Jackson’s site accepts donations to the fund. Besides selling reprints of Jackson’s artwork, we have three events to raise money for the fund.”

The Jackson Roeder Legacy Fund has provided 988 banners in all 25 school districts in four counties and the local colleges and at the YMCA and other places in the community.

The fund also helped sponsor Loss and Healing folders provided to funeral homes and clergy and pastors across Central Minnesota, to be given to suicide loss survivors after a loss. The booklet includes a table of contents with everything a person might need for help after a loss.

Scott is affiliated with many local and state mental health ministries and resource groups that work to prevent suicide. Currently he’s the co-chair of the Postvention committee of the Minnesota State Suicide Prevention. The Postvention process helps to heal and mend those people who’ve lost a loved one to suicide.

He said there used to be a stigma surrounding cancer and diabetes, but now people are comfortable talking about those problems and the variety of treatments. But the stigma remains surrounding mental health and suicide.

“Compassion is what is needed,” Scott said. “Compassion for the individual with a mental health condition, compassion for the mental health advocates (family/friends). And compassion for the suicide loss survivors.

“We did not plan to be on this journey in our life. We honor our son Jackson in making a difference in Central Minnesota.”