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Wright County task force details Suicide Prevention grant work; Buffalo Strong targets middle‑aged men
Summary
At the May 11 meeting the Public Health Task Force heard that a Minnesota Department of Health suicide‑prevention grant (about $100,000 a year) will fund Buffalo Strong efforts targeting middle‑aged men in construction, manufacturing, transportation and farming; a community leaders panel is set for May 20.
Chair Bonita Bryant convened the Wright County Public Health Task Force on May 11, 2026, where HHS staff member Keith Bennett updated the group on local suicide‑prevention work funded by a Minnesota Department of Health grant.
Bennett said Buffalo Strong is concentrating outreach on middle‑aged men, roughly ages 40–65, who work in construction, manufacturing, transportation and farming. "It’s the first of its kind and there were a lot of great connections made, and the overall theme was Hope in Action," Bennett said, describing recent attendance at the Minnesota Suicide Prevention Conference in Duluth. He noted the county’s grant provides about $100,000 per year and is in year three of a four‑year award running through 2028.
The presentation listed Buffalo Strong priorities for the grant period: peer support and connection, workplace suicide prevention, improved rural access to support, and safe firearm storage. Bennett announced Buffalo Strong will host a community group leaders panel on May 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the Wright County Government Center to engage local partners and share resources, and said attendees will receive electronic resource materials including comparisons of 911 and 988 for crisis response.
Bennett also described a Youth Mental Health Coalition focused on ages 10–19, beginning outreach in Dassel‑Cokato, Howard Lake, Delano and Buffalo. He said the coalition currently includes five youth members and that youth who attend meetings receive a $50 stipend per meeting.
At the start of the meeting members approved the agenda and April minutes (motion by Jeanne Holland, second by Mona Volden; all members approved). The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. after a motion by Toni Seroshek and a second by Emmanuel Ngabire.
Next steps outlined by staff include distributing the resource materials electronically to virtual participants, continuing recruitment for youth coalition membership over the summer, and convening the May 20 panel to broaden local partnerships.
