Sweetheart dance raises money for suicide awareness

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – An event for the whole family was hosted to raise money for a good cause.

The Heroes and Heroines Sweetheart dance was on Saturday, February 10, 2024. The event ran from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and was held at the Cape Girardeau VFW Hall.

The dance admission was five dollars for children and ten dollars for adults. All proceeds from the dance go to suicide prevention.

Amber Berry is the President of the Southeast Missouri Suicide Prevention Incorporation.

She says the funding raised provides local support.   

“It supports the Southeast Missouri Suicide Prevention Inc. It’s a nonprofit organization that we started a few years ago so all the proceeds go to that, and all the money stays local and provides education and support in our area.”  

Suicide rates in the U.S. jumped by 2.6% from 2021-2022 according to CDC suicide statistics. Berry says a lot of people don’t know that there is help out there.

“The suicide rate has gone up recently especially after COVID and I think just a lot of people don’t know how they can help so I think education is important just to get out and help people on how to educate others and how to help people that are in a mental health crisis.” 

If you missed the dance the Southeast Missouri Suicide Prevention Incorporation will be hosting several other events this year you can attend such as the annual Glow Walk.

You can find out more about those events on their website semosp.Org.  

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the Suicide Crisis Hotline by calling or texting 988.