Our Events
2026 DANCE FOR HOPE
Saturday, March 28th, 2026
The La Crosse Area Suicide Prevention Initiative is bringing hope and awareness to suicide prevention through community, dance, and art in our 16th annual Dance for Hope. Join us to raise awareness and bring attention to community resources.
UWL Student Union Bluffs Room - 12:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
PAST….
SUICIDE PREVENTION SUMMIT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Increase your understanding of suicide, its prevalence, and the risk factors for specific populations, and acquire tools for prevention, assessment, and intervention. The event will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and lunch.
UW-L Student Union, La Crosse, WI
SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS EVENT
Thursday, September 18, 2025 (6:00 - 7:30 pm)
We welcome family and friends impacted by suicide loss, as well as any community members, to join us for a night of raising awareness of suicide and its prevalence in our community and remembering those we’ve lost.
The Nature Place in Myrick Park, La Crosse
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH ART CONTEST 2024
Submissions open May 1st-15th.
We invite you to participate in our first ever Mental Health Awareness Month Art Contest! All are encouraged to get creative and reflect on the topic of mental health -- whether your personal mental health journey or mental health as a whole. You can submit any form of art that is able to be uploaded to the submission form and is related to mental health, wellness, or recovery. Ex: upload a picture of a painting, drawing, or sculpture; upload a video of you singing or dancing; upload a document with a poem or song lyrics; etc. All entries will be placed into a drawing for prizes. Three random winners will be drawn and will receive a La Crosse Suicide Prevention Initiative sweatshirt in the size of their choosing and a $25 gift card to a store of their choosing. In addition, all entries that provide permission will be highlighted on our website and Facebook. Thank you for sharing your art!
Art showcased virtually May 15th-31st.
Winners notified May 31st.
COMMUNITY PAINT PARTY
Saturday, October 26th, 2024 (11:00am-1:00pm)
Help us bring a mental health mural to our community. Supplies will be provided on site, and instruction will be provided by artist Kristy McCarthy. Open to all community members.
Family & Children’s Center (811 Monitor St, La Crosse)
DANCE FOR HOPE
Saturday, March 22, 2025 (12:00-4:30pm)
We invite all members of our community to attend this FREE event and help us promote suicide prevention, education and hope in our community. It is designed to bring people and resources together in a fun and entertaining environment.
The day will include performances from local dance groups, food available for purchase, a raffle with exciting door prizes, and information booths from local resources.
Donations will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will go directly to the La Crosse Area Suicide Prevention Initiative to strengthen our efforts to reach members of our community as we educate, offer hope and strive to save lives!
UW-L Student Union, La Crosse, WI
MURAL REVEAL
Thursday, May 1, 2025 (5:30pm)
Join us for the unveiling of a newly commissioned mural that symbolizes hope and resilience, completed this fall by artist Kristy McCarthy with the help of community members. The event will feature speakers, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the mural's completion, and music by Melissa McCarthy. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase apparel showcasing the mural and enjoy light refreshments. This event is open to all, and we invite the community to come together in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Family & Children’s Center, La Crosse, WI (811 Monitor St) | Parking Lot
