News & Events

Helpline Center’s news and events are the critical link between great community and the programs Helpline Center is involved in.

International Overdose Awareness Event - August 31

294 people die every day in the U.S. from overdose. Join us for a public, community-wide event, to remember those who have died from overdose.

We are holding a candlelight vigil at the outdoor Greenway Amphitheater in downtown Sioux Falls next to Cherapa Place and the Arc of Dreams, which will be lit up in purple, the color to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day.

Hear from families who have lost loved ones to addiction, as well as those who continue to battle substance use disorder. There will also be information on how to get help and what families can do to help a struggling loved one. Singer Elisabeth Hunstad will perform.

Step Forward to Prevent Suicide - Yankton

The Helpline Center, in partnership with Bridging Yankton, invites you to the Step Forward to Prevent Suicide event!

Saturday August 6, 2022

Riverside Park Amphitheater

Registration beginning at 8:15am with program start at 9:00am

2022 honorary speaker: Wendy Mamer
Wendy will be sharing her personal story of the loss of her father to suicide

Live music will be provided by Monte Gulick

2022 Emcees will be: Marc Bies and Doug Pesicka, Yankton High School

Help us raise awareness and support for the Helpline Center’s suicide prevention and survivor support programs.

Register today!

The 437 Project

The 437 Project was born of a passion for prioritizing physical and mental wellness, and the often overlooked connection between the two. In September 2022, the inaugural 437 Project will run 437 miles across the state of South Dakota, raising funds to support the Helpline Center.

There are all sorts of ways to get involved and we’d encourage you to learn more at, https://the437project.org/

We’re extremely grateful to have been chosen as the benefactor of this incredible endeavor. The official dates of the run are September 22-25 and the runners will begin in Belle Fourche and the run will end in Sioux Falls.

988 is here!

The Helpline Center is proud to announce the launch of 988, a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experienced mental health-related distress. Whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also call 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Of course, 988 is more than just an easy to remember number, it’s a direct connection to compassionate and professional support for anyone who might be struggling with emotional distress, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or who is concerned about a family or friend with a mental health or substance use issue.

To learn more, click here.

Kevin Hines - Virtual Event

The Helpline Center is excited to announce that Kevin Hines will be joining us for two virtual events during Mental Health Awareness month! We’re so grateful to partner with Thrivent Financial to bring Kevin’s inspiration message of hope to our community.

We’re offering two opportunities to attend
on Tuesday, May 10 at
12:00 and 7:00 p.m. CST.

Kevin will share his story of hope and celebration of life. Kevin Hines is a mental health advocate, global speaker, best-selling author, documentary filmmaker and entrepreneur who reaches audiences all over the world with his story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (at 19 years of age), he attempted to take his own life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only thirty-four (less than 1%) to survive the fall and he is the only Golden Gate Bridge jump survivor who is actively spreading the message of living mentally healthy around the globe.

Helpline Center Raffle

The raffle ticket sales have officially closed. The winning raffle ticket will be announced on Monday, July 18th at the Helpline Open Golf Tournament. You do not need to be present to win!

The vacation package includes:

2-night/ 3-day stay in a luxury apartment in Sturgis, SD
(1) 24-hour rental of UTV or motorcycle in Sturgis, SD
One (1) Friday to Sunday vehicle rental in Sioux Falls, SD
$50 gift card to Spearfish Brewery
$25 gift card to Creekside Bean & Vine

1 ticket for $10
3 tickets for $25
Deadline is Monday, July 18th at 2pm.

All funds raised from the raffle will support the important work at he Helpline Center. A big thank you to Vern Eide Motorcars for their generous support! Helpline Center employees, members of the Board of Directors, and their spouses and children living in the same household are excluded from participating and are not eligible to win. Vacation package must be used by December 31, 2023. Package valued at $1,500.

Disclaimer: Excludes midsize and 15-passenger vans. Must be 24 or over with a valid driver’s license and proof of full coverage insurance for a rental. Credit card required for incidentals. If renting a motorcycle, a valid motorcycle endorsement is required by South Dakota law and the renter must demonstrate the ability to safely operate a motorcycle. Blackout dates for lodging include July 15 – August 20 and holiday weekends. Other excisions may apply. UTV/Motorcycle rental is available May 15 – October 15. Must use voucher by December 31, 2023.

If you have any questions about the raffle, please reach out to our Events Coordinator at (605) 274-1418 or by email at events@helplinecenter.org.

Strategies to Reduce the Impact of Substance Use

Agenda

8:15-8:20am | Welcome
8:20-8:45am | Lived Experience: Melissa Flynn’s Story
8:45-9:45am | Keynote Speaker: Nzinga Harrison, MD
- Understanding basic principles of harm reduction
- Understanding a comprehensive biopsychosocial-based harm reduction model of addiction treatment
9:45-10:00am | BREAK
10:00-11:00am | Continue: Dr. Harrison
- Learn to incorporate harm reduction into addiction treatment
11:00-11:30am | Q&A with Dr. Harrison
11:30-12:00pm | Helpline Center University: Substance Use Resources in South Dakota,
Betsy Schuster, Vice President of Program Development, Helpline Center
12:00-1:00pm | LUNCH (on your own)
1:00-2:00pm | Naloxone Education: Dr. Melissa “Mo” Dittberner and Katie T. Kassin, The University of South Dakota
2:00-2:45pm | The Future of 988: Janet Kittams, CEO, Helpline Center
2:45-3:00pm | BREAK
3:00-4:00pm | Panel Discussion
- Sara Crosby- SMART Recovery
- Detective Nelson – Sioux Falls Police Department
- Maddie Miller – The Link

4:00pm | Wrap up

CEU’s available for SD BAPP, SD Social Work and SD Counseling

Learn more and register here, https://www.helplinecenter.org/reducetheimpact/

Step Forward to Prevent Suicide - Sioux Falls

As our communities and state continue to experience the loss of family and friends to suicide, the Step Forward to Prevent Suicide event promotes hope and healing for all who participate. The Step Forward event offers an opportunity to hear from an honorary speaker, remembrance ceremony and a 1.5 mile walk. The event raises awareness and support for the Helpline Center’s suicide prevention services and survivor support programs. 100% of proceeds stay local.

Helpline Center Open 2022

We hope you’ll join us on Monday, July 18, 2022 for the Helpline Open golf tournament. Our tournament will once again be held at the Willow Run Golf Course and it’s a 4 person scramble designed to be competitive and fun for all. Golf begins with a shotgun start at noon and we encourage all golfers to stick around for a social and banquet after their round.

All the funds raised from the Helpline Open tournament support the suicide prevention and crisis support programs offered through the Helpline Center.

If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to our Events Coordinator at 211 or by email at events@helplinecenter.org.

211 Day

National 211 Day, celebrated each year on February 11^th, is a time to recognize the comprehensive services and support that 211 brings to the community. In 2001, the Helpline Center launched 211 and we celebrated a major milestone in 2020 when 211 went statewide in South Dakota. Last year our compassionate and professionally trained staff responded to more than 70,000 calls from across South Dakota. From Hello to Help, we’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help individuals with simple questions or serious help.

If you’d like some of our free 211 promotional materials, check out this website to learn more! Help us share stories of how 211 has positively impacted you or someone you know. Please share on your social media accounts and tag us @helplinecenter on Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtags: #211SoDak and #211Day