Promoting Suicide Awareness

—Kyler Bina family raising money for motivational speaker

 

CRESCO - One local family is trying to turn a tragedy into a way to help others.
Mike and Becky Bina and daughter, Katelin, lost their son and brother, Kyler, to suicide on April 17, 2017. He was just 16.
The family is having a t-shirt suicide awareness fund-raiser in his memory in order to bring motivational speaker Jeff Yalden to the high school and community. Mike explained, “We’re doing this so that families and kids know there are other ways or options. They can think twice [before attempting suicide]. Parents can recognize signs.”
Becky added, “Kids can pick an adult to talk to, whether that is a parent, friend or counselor. Looking at his texts, Kyler was that person who people talked to.”
Suicide is devastating to all who knew the person . . . family, friends and a community. By bringing in a speaker to talk to students and community members, Binas hope it will give people something to think about before they start considering harming themselves.
But it is also essential to talk about the devastating effects of suicide. Becky noted, “There is a need to talk about it. Kyler was our world. I don’t want his death to be for nothing. It should be for a higher purpose, and if this tragedy can save even one life, our goal in his name has been achieved.”
Binas are taking orders for shirts until Sept. 15. There have been a few businesses who are donating to the cause. The family’s donation of $1,000 has been matched by Windstream to get Yalden to come.
There is no date set yet. September is Suicide Awareness Month, but April and May are the biggest months for suicide, so they are also looking at that time. It all depends on schedules.
In the meantime, there is a Suicide Bereavement Group that meets in Decorah the first Sunday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health office, located at 905 Montgomery Street. 
An upcoming event also brings awareness to suicide. The Third Annual NE Iowa Step Up Reach Out Suicide Awareness Walk is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 14 along Decorah’s Trout Run Trail. Opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m. 
The shirts will be teal in color and cost $15 each. They can be ordered by e-mailing bjbina@windstream.net, calling 563-203-0689 or contacting her on Facebook. Orders are also being taken at Hair FX and NE Iowa Motors. Checks can be mailed to Hair FX 115 2nd St. E., Cresco, IA 52136.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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