4-7pm – Early T-shirt & Packet Pick Up
Location: Woodland Trails
Address: 20135 Elk Lake Rd NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Chalk Party! Help us Chalk the Walk with positive messages and remembrance of our loved ones! (chalk provided)
After each of them suffered a loss in 2020, two mothers from Blaine, Minnesota are putting a focus on mental health for kids. Mothers Janet Casperson and Shannon Lee share the unimaginable pain and heartbreak of losing children in 2020. Janet’s son Sam Casperson and Shannon’s daughter Ashlyn Lee had dated briefly before both died by suicide about six weeks apart.
One area of focus, particularly for Shannon, when it comes to teenage mental health is social media. “Kids don’t realize their words and actions, both good and bad, have such a profound impact on people,” said Shannon. “They just don’t see that behind the screen.” Shannon says Ashlyn was badly bullied online before her death last February.
The pair of moms have since become great friends and mental health advocates. They are vowing to use their voices and experiences to save other young lives. They hope to share a message of resilience and coping skills to help others get through a tough season and for those greiving the loss of a loved one by suicide.
View Elk River Star News Article here.