Contradicting years of disinclusive politics, culture, and policy, the Noem Administration has commissioned yet another marketing scheme, this one attempting to address South Dakota’s high suicide rate by telling people they matter and belong:
A new marketing campaign called “Notes to Self,” revealed by [Department of Social Services Secretary Matt] Althoff on the second day of the suicide prevention conference, leans in to the notion that everyone has a role in suicide prevention and mental wellness.
The campaign’s taglines, “you matter – no matter what,” “you belong here,” or “you matter to someone’s mental health,” all tie to that premise. The ads and educational materials offer basic guides for deeds, words and habits that help people stay aware of their emotions, triggers and needs [John Hult,” ‘I Want to Speak Life into People’: State Takes All-In Approach to Suicide Prevention,” South Dakota Searchlight, 2023.08.11].
I could take DSS’s marketing taglines more seriously if the Governor didn’t play clueless about the harm done to mental health by the discrimination and bullying that her policies foster.
The NDS is so strong in you, Mr. H, that you cannot even get on board with an attempt to address suicide. What is wrong with you, young sir? Get ahold of yourownself.
I care about you, and I’m here to listen. You are not alone.
In 2018 the Rapid City Journal blamed the South Dakota Republican Party for spikes in suicides and depression then a Sanford Health executive did the same in 2019. South Dakota is ranked 6th highest in the nation for suicides reporting more than 22 self-administered terminations per 100,000 people or an increase of 59% since 1999 and the 11th highest increase in any state.
https://www.aberdeennews.com/story/opinion/columns/2020/12/25/farm-and-food-file-why-are-you-giving-extreme-voices-so-much-attention/115765286/
Talk is cheap. Especially when you lack a conscience or even the capacity for empathy.
Video lootery, Deadwood gambling and high costs of medical care in South Dakota all contribute to red state failure.
Lar, the ladies that play the video games all day just need to stop doing it. Their choice, they have the Freedom to choose.
Your life does not matter to fake kristian magats.or they would not attempt to legislate your life for you.
Yer a complete a$$hole, grud.
In South Dakota local control is Republican control.
Republican former State Senator Lynne DiSanto has been raising awareness of the abuses committed by the Children’s Home Society that led up to the 2019 disappearance of Serenity Dennard.
CHS has been under the regulatory microscope before for violations of trust and one former executive director is none other than Republican former South Dakota Governor Denny Daugaard. Billionaire Republican Denny Sanford, an accused child pornographer, has given millions to the organization that owns a facility outside Rapid City, just for instance. As the story of Sanford’s pedophilia broke Carmel, Indiana-based private investigator Veracity I-I-R confirmed that they were hired by Serenity’s adoptive family to revisit the steps that led to her disappearance and explore likely outcomes.
Later in 2019 SD News Watch ran a series of articles highlighting South Dakota as a hellhole for kids.
Before her disappearance Serenity Dennard spent time in a dozen foster homes in a state where the industry is a pet project of Republican Daugaard’s wife. It’s estimated that the United States foster care industry supplies some 88% of sex-trafficked children some of whom are raped for money at the annual Sturgis Rally.
Serenity’s adoptive mother has admitted to suicide attempts because of all the Republican bunglings so the SDGOP finger-pointing continues to the present day. The federal center for Medicaid Services intervened in 2019 and excoriated the CHS for its indifference to client protection.
Another Republican, a former captain in the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says the failures to locate the young girl still haunt him. Investigators say it’s doubtful she was abducted by strangers but her history of running away means her planning an escape is entirely possible. That Serenity was lured away by Bandidos with help from the Children’s Home Society crossed my mind very early in her disappearance.
Spokesperson for the department, Republican Helene Duhamel insists the case is still open. In 2020 Republican then-Sheriff Kevin Thom admitted the failures of his department in the case and denied an interview for a recent update. In 2020 a Republican former Rapid City police chief resigned to become a CHS employee.
Current Republican Black Hills Children’s Home director, Michelle Lavallee insists security at the de facto children’s prison has been tightened but refuses to elaborate.
Whistle-blower DiSanto was forced from the state’s demonic legislature then changed her name and moved to Montana but has since returned to sell real estate in Rapid City.
So, what happened to the 15 million bucks? Is that what was purchased with it? https://eu.argusleader.com/story/news/2022/04/06/south-dakota-increasing-support-those-mental-health-crisis/9484524002/
Winter here
Ya, “you matter,” unless you need medical care, food, shelter, a bathroom stall, an abortion because you are too young, will be beaten or disowned… Ya, “Kristi Cares” is just another bumper sticker you can put next to the one about “no grocery tax” or “Kristi for President.” @#$%^&*!
I think there are dedicated state employees who do their best trying to lift the discussion above the petty bullying of the Noem Administration. Certain your Governor does not present a good role model for people to follow. That doesn’t mean others in state government are so utterly cruel. The problem I see with this approach is that it seems geared to people in crisis, rather than keeping them out of that state in the first place by creating a caring community. Once you’ve bullied someone into believing they don’t matter, why would they want to reach out to you for help? So, there’s a lot that has to change in South Dakota. For one, the intolerance has to stop.
The English teacher in me questions who the “you” is in that sentence. When the State of SD says “You matter. . . ” I cannot help but to remember the specific comments/legislation/executive orders that works against the “. . . no matter what” part of that slogan.
Too many young people — especially women, LGBTQ+, especially — have left SD (or are actively looking to get out) because the actions taken by this State DEMONSTRATE they are not only now welcome, but also ACTIVELY — even dangerously — disapproved of.
I’m afraid this is the political equivalent to apologizing after abuse — but knowing the next abuse is just around the corner..
Six of South Dakota’s nursing homes are among the 98 worst in the nation. That’s a future no one wants for oneself or loved ones.
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2023/08/13/six-sd-nursing-homes-list-special-focus-facilities-cms-medicaid-medicare/
Youth suicide is tragic for youth have time to cure, change, reform, learn, grow. On the other hand elder suicide of suicide by those infirm or with incurable afflictions makes some rational sense. Those of us who tended for elderly parents or relatives often hear their plaintive, ‘I just want to die’. Instead we cruelly, selfishly force them to live, to endure pain. Until society embraces adult reasoning to allow people to let go of their life – we will have suicide.
One cannot chose ones genes, parents, birth place or economic circumstances. But one has has and retains the choice of when and how, to a point, to let go of life. The point being is that some suicide is rational. Instead of wringing our hands over elder suicide or suicide by those with incurable afflictions, we ought to legalize the means for them to make adult decisions on when and how to dignify letting go of their blessing of their life.
Since Kniep established a network of Community Mental Health Centers across the state, the Legislature has done little to nothing to support Community Mental Health. T;he network struggled to provide basic services then (1970’s) and it struggles now. Underfunded, understaffed, with high turnover, and drifting from crises to crises, the Community Centers are an after thought to a succession of Republican Legislatures and Republican administrations. It will take years of increased funding beyond inflation to establish a responsive system.
John, I wan not even considering the elderly; thank you for broadening my perspective.
I was also thinking, would SD be willing to add one more phrase, “the cost.” to the end of “You matter no matter what?”
grudznick supports efforts to help people. Just in case some of you libbies forget.
My close personal friend Lar knows many of the ways grudznick contributes to the causes. You can ask him for details.
Cram it, grud.
Shame on you,Cory . The governor of the state I live in is trying to help a lot of people, but you have a freakishly absurd attitude of telling people that the people that really want to help people in need are worthless
Quit treating suicide so passé .
LCJ might consider self-immolation on the Capitol steps in Pierre.
The whole “no matter what” line is Planned Parenthood’s slogan. They always say, “Care. No matter what.” Once in awhile, Planned Parenthood will switch it up with, “Act. No matter what.” or, “Vote. No matter what.” and even, “Help. No matter what.”
If DSS is going to copycat Planned Parenthood’s statement, they better mean it. Hopefully this investment helps thwart suicides in SD.
Everyone should have the choice to die with honor, if that is their prerogative. When an adult is not cut out for deteriorating in an odoriferous institution, they should have every right to refuse to eat. For anyone to try to force a feeding tube into someone against their will is the definition of inhuman. Mercy can mean death for some.
LCJ, please list the folks Kristi is trying to help aside from herself, her relatives, and a few people who are trying to help her.
Hey Newland, unblock me from your Faceberg page.
Same with her Freedom Works commercials. How free are we, really?
Not 5 minutes goes by without another dumb law passed or decree issued alienating some group.
Take the mini nazi state of Florida for example: as if their book laws weren’t enough, (and dont say gay!), now a new law arrests those driving undocumented people around (they are people, not animals.). Up to 5 yrs in prison. (What if someone needs to go to the hospital?! ) So, just like that, they’ve created a new group: Those that one cannot drive around.
It’s all very depressing. Like winter.
Larry, I can’t determine which FB Larry Kurtz you are.
Go to settings and privacy > audience and visibility > blocking > blocked people and I should be there.
I block hundreds, actually.
John, the report you cited does not differentiate between for-profit versus non-profit Nursing homes. The South Dakota Good Samaritan facilty is the only “non-profit” Nusing Home on the list.
The problem with the Federal Survey Nursing Home system is that Nursing Homes are fined when deficiencies are found. A better solution would be to stop admissions until the Nursing Homes are bought into compliance. A better long term solution may be to ban for-profit Nursing Homes and to better fund non-profit Nursing Homes, based on their acquity levels.
Frankly, if I ever need Skilled Nuring Care, I’ll receive it in North Dakota.
My 2 cents
Noem and her pubs are trying to have it both ways as usual. You can’t say ‘you matter know matter what’ when you pass LGBTQ2 hate bills every year. Not everyone matters in SD so quit with the pretending you care stuff.