Softball tournament raises money, awareness about suicide

GILE, Wis. - At 31 years old, Danny Baross, who was married with three children and an employee at the Ojibway Correctional Facility, committed suicide in 2009.

There were 742 suicide deaths in Wisconsin, in 2008, the most recent data available on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services' website.

In 2012, Michigan had a total of 1,255 suicide deaths, which was up from 1,095 in 2002, according to the state's Department of Community Health website.

Raising awareness is part of the motivation behind an annual softball tournament held in Gile, which honors the memory of Baross.

Bryan Sokolowski was a key organizer in the "Danny B Jack and Jill Softball Tournament," which was held Aug. 22-24 at the Gile Softball Field.

Sokolowski said the tournament had 10 teams, which was about average over its four-year existence.

More than $4,000 of the tournament's proceeds was donated to various organizations this year.

Kerry Roehm accepted $500 on behalf of the Polar Bear Hockey organization, of which Baross was a coach and referee.

Roehm said the money will go into the group's Hardship Fund that is used for families who need some financial assistance for the sport.

Brooke Gilbertson accepted a $1,000 donation, which will go to maintenance and restoration of the Gile field, and the remainder was donated to the Range Suicide Prevention Council, accepted by its president, Pat Gallinagh.

"Where we are now with suicide today, is where we were with cancer 50 years ago," Gallinagh said, mentioning how the topic tends to go undiscussed. "Every single victim fought long and hard before they were overpowered."

Ricardo Luna and Jay T. Hengtgen, of Burgers Bar and Grill in Gile, donated an additional $500 to the Range Suicide Prevention Council this year, which has received more than $10,000 since the softball tournament began, Gallinagh said.

Sept. 8-14 is National Suicide Prevention Week, which always runs the Monday through Sunday around World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10.

The Range Suicide Prevention Council is holding a walk/run event next weekend to raise awareness of suicide with hopes to increase prevention.

Registration for the first annual "Break the Silence, Walk Through the Pain" event will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 13 with the program beginning at 10 a.m. at the Lindquist Center at Gogebic Community College.

Gallinagh said the main purpose of the event isn't the money, it's to "tear down the shroud of shame, stigma and silence" surrounding suicide by raising awareness and making the topic a more prevalent discussion.

Participants can walk a mile or run a 5-K.

There is no cost to participate, but T-shirts will be sold. Donations are also accepted, but are not required.

There are a number of warning signs that have been determined to be indicators of suicidal persons such as sudden changes in behavior; acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking; giving away prized possessions; increased alcohol and drug use; expressing feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness; loss of interest in favorite activities; sleeping and/or eating disorders; and withdrawing from friends, family and society.

Individuals seeking help for themselves or others are asked to call:

-National Suicide Prevention 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

-North Care: 1-888-906-9060

-Gogebic County Mental Health: (Daytime): 906-229-6120; (24-hour): 1-800-348-0032

-Northpointe Crisis 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-750-0522