KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – To further conversations about suicide and prevention, a group of local bar owners is helping spread a message of hope to those in their community.
Marty DeCoster is the owner of Plan B in Kaukauna and tells FOX 11 many times his customers stop in to have a little conversation, especially when they’re going through something tough.
“Bars are a place where people come to be happy and rejoice or if they’re depressed they might be drowning they’re sorrows. So when a customer walks in you have to treat it with an open mind and give them the most fun and comfort they’ve been looking for. Actually, we just had a suicide of one of our regular customers and I seen him the night before.”
DeCoster said interacting with customers who have a mental illness is something he deals with often.
To help raise awareness for the issue, DeCoster has also been using “suicide prevention” cups at his bar which has the Hotline number for Center for Suicide Awareness.
“Being a bartender for so long I think working together with them was a great idea. We brainstormed a lot of Ideas but the glasses we got with a beer company and it really took off.”
Lori Stisto is a volunteer for the Center for Suicide Awareness and said the cups can be taken home for anyone that needs it.
“It’s just about being aware and helping others and how you can ask the right questions. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, how old you are, or who you are, mental illness is very strong,” she said.
More than a dozen bars in that area are a part of this effort to raise awareness for this issue and said they hope to tackle it one glass at a time.
