EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third segment in a Herald series about suicide prevention.
GRAND FORKS — Across the United States, suicide rates have steadily been on the rise for the past 20 years. But in Minnesota, regional suicide prevention coordinators work to destigmatize mental health and provide resources to those in need.
ADVERTISEMENT
Brenna Olson recently took over as the only northwest regional suicide prevention coordinator. The position was previously held by both her and Tim Denney.
Her role is funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, but she is employed with Polk County Public Health in Crookston.
“When I was younger, I dealt with suicide ideation,” Olson said. “So I do this with a passion of I’ve been there. I understand the people in that role … and what they’re experiencing.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, regional coordinators “work with individuals, organizations and communities to support community-led suicide prevention efforts.”
Olson is one of 12 coordinators across the state. She supports eight counties in the northwest region and said each is very different culturally.
She said, “I’m only one person, and I can’t know everything.”
Olson is from Warren and is very familiar with that area, but she relies on partnerships to get an inside look into other regions.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Without our partnerships,” Olson said, “the work that I do wouldn’t be doable.”
These partnerships help develop culturally-informed and data-driven suicide prevention strategies. She said they can provide qualitative data about the communities they serve, giving a more personal perspective on what their needs might be.
For example, young females in her area are more likely to self-report suicide ideation, so Olson works with the Youth Advisory Board in Polk County to guide messaging and find better ways to reach this age group.
The board can provide insight on what is going on with youth in schools. This can then be used to develop better outreach strategies.
Olson does the outreach herself, as well. She presents at schools and uses the opportunity to connect with students. With their permission, she uses their stories to develop better suicide prevention plans.
She also focuses a lot on middle-aged men, primarily those working in agriculture or construction. In 2025, the male suicide rate in Minnesota was nearly four times higher than females, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
“Oftentimes,” Olson said, “men are told … ‘don’t show emotion. That makes you look weak.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
But according to her, that’s not the case.
“If you have a brain,” she said, “you have mental health.”
Olson’s work revolves around destigmatizing mental health. Recently, she’s done a lot with postvention plans. These are prevention strategies that focus on how to support the community in the event of a suicide, according to the American Psychological Association.
She offers free training that can help people identify warning signs in individuals in need. Olson said to look out for changes in behavior or appearance, an increase in risk behaviors and increased agitation.
She said don’t be afraid to ask someone, “are you thinking about suicide?”