Arukah awarded grant to help prevent suicide in first responders

“It is an honor to be able to bring these services to first responders,” said Arukah Chief Executive Officer Sarah Scruggs. “They are continually on the front lines of traumatizing work. Trauma doesn’t ‘just go away’ and it isn’t a sign of weakness when it affects one in a negative way.” challenge.

The Arukah Institute of Healing, in partnership with the Peru and Princeton police departments, has been awarded the Suicide Prevention First Responders grant through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The purpose of the grant is to improve wellness and reduce the risk of suicide for first responders and their family members in Bureau, Putnam, Marshall and La Salle counties by offering peer support training, lethal means training, anti-stigma campaigns and social work services.

The Arukah staff along with Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond and Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer will oversee the grant.

Scruggs said Arukah understands the impact of trauma and that first responders and their families are often overlooked.

“I have lost friends and coworkers to suicide over my 29-plus year career,” Kammerer said. “If we can reduce the stigma and prevent further trauma related to our employment, then this effort will be considered a success. I am honored to be involved with this grant and greatly appreciate the partnership we have developed with Arukah.”

Raymond said this opportunity is exciting for the local communities and that breaking the stigma surrounding trauma and suicide has always been a

“This program will provide all of them the opportunity to seek services they need without having a stigma attached,” Raymond said. “That will enable the vital care and programs needed for all first responders to enhance, not only their careers, but also their home life.”

The program will be entitled Vigilant: Protecting those who protect us.

Arukah will engage the services of Certified ILETSB Trainer and Retired First Responder, Dan Roach. Roach will train peer supporters from area police, fire, EMS and public safety answering points to recognize and address signs of stress among peers.

The peer support network will allow first responders to contact someone for assistance, anonymously or not, at any time of the day. Trained peer supporters can help their peers in a time of crisis by de-escalating the situation and connecting them with appropriate resources.

A 24/7 phone number will be established to provide access to services for those covered under the grant. Arukah will also hire professional counselors with a background in working with first responders and their families.

To combat stigma, Arukah will also launch anti-stigma campaigns to encourage first responders and their families to reach out.

Another component of this grant will involve the Cornerstone Retreat Center, located in rural Henry County where first responders and their families can visit an outdoor setting, secluded from the public, to decompress and speak with trained peer supporters.

All services offered at Cornerstone are confidential and available to both working and retired employees.

For information on the grant or the services that will be provided, contact Arukah Institute of Healing at 815-872-2943.

Here are the Putnam County property transfers for April of 2023.

April 4

Aleksander and Lucia Nowak, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills L:297 and L:296, $5,000.

Griffith Family Farms to Illinois Department of Transportation, deed, 04-08-021-000 Q:NE S:15 T:31 R:1, $0.

April 5

Chicago Title Land Trust Company to James and Jennifer Chase, deed, Lake Thunderbird Woods L:164, $230,000.

April 6

Marquis Land Holdings LLC to Marquis Carbon Injection LLC, deed, 01-10-049053 Q:SW S:2 T:32 R:2, $0

April 10

Kevin and Kati Clark to Kevin and Kati Clark Revocable Trust, deed, Q:NE S:13

T:32 R:1, $0

William Drennen Revocable Trust to Keith and Denise Boggio, deed, 02-14142-000 Q:NE S:17 T:32 R:1, $70,000.

Joseph and Jill Kunkel to Gregory and Lisa Grieff, Steven and Pamela Hand and Kevin and Tammy Gustafson, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills Plat #3 L:592, $0.

Kevin Knapp to Kevin Knapp Trust, deed, 04-16-132-000 Q:SE S:26

T:31 R:1, $0.

April 11

Kevin Knapp to Kevin Knapp Trust, deed, 04-16-132-000 Q:SE S:26

T:31 R:1, $0.

Kevin and Sara Knapp to Kevin and Sara Knapp Trust, deed, multiple properties, $0

April 12

Freedom Mortgage Corporation to Frank and Christine Pavlik, deed, Lake Thunderbird Woods L:33, $99,555.

April 14

Randall Balensiefen to Inga and Danny Hamant, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills L:123, $4,200.

April 17

Gene and Vicki Gensini to Vittorio

Gensini and Maria Miller, deed, 04-00056-290, 04-00-056-301, Lake View Drive Addition - Magnolia Township, $0.

Albert Urnikis to Malesha and Nicholas Novak, deed, 02-27-062-000 Q:NE S:30 T:33 R:1, $0.

Piotr Posadyn to Andrzej and Beata Rabenda, deed, Lake Thunderbird Woods L:389, $7,000.

April 18

Lisa and Everette Masters to Nash and Brianna Jonson, deed, 02-06-140-000 Archibald Hopkins Addition - Granville, $135,000.

April 21

Donald and Corrine Guier to William Deschaff, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills L:57, $1,000.

Jeannette Mixon and Shelby Osborne to Shelby Osborne, deed, Quin-Mar Addition - Mark L:39, $0.

Jonas and Arunas Staskus to Kathryn Kidd, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills Plat #2 L:454, $365,000.

April 24

Murray, Vickie, Matthew and Jeffery Hancks to Shawn and Stephanie Diller, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills L:334, $0. James and Tracy Robbins to Christopher Kik and Dorota Dyczewska, deed, Lake Thunderbird Woods Plat $4 L:683, $65,000.

Jerrold Welch of the Robert Welch Estate to Patricia Read and Jenna Scanland, deed, Lake Thunderbird Hills Plat #3 L:651, $3,800.

April 26

Hollace Faletti and Kimberly Sheppard to Gage Vetter, deed, CH SMith Addition - Granville L:5 and L:6, $56,700.

April 28

Cody Grandadam to Cody and Jessie Grandadam, deed, 01-19-010-000 Q:NE S:24 T:32 R:2, $0.

Cody and Jessie Grandadam to Richard Thompson, deed, 01-19-010-000 Q:NE

S:24 T:32 R:2, $0.

Elizabeth O’Connor to James Kipp and Elizabeth O’Connor, deed, Village of Hennepin L:3 B:23, $0.

Men and mental health

Awareness of the importance of recognizing mental health issues has grown considerably in recent years. Prominent individuals from various industries have come forward to speak about their struggles, and that has done much to remove the stigma that was long associated with mental health. Though recognition of the importance of addressing mental health issues has increased in recent years, there’s still much to be done, particularly regarding men and mental health.

A 2019 study published in the American Journal of Men’s Health noted that men have historically been more hesitant than women to seek help for mental health difficulties. That hesitancy can have grave consequences, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that men are more likely to die by suicide than women.

Recognition of the symptoms that suggest someone is experiencing mental health troubles could compel men to seek treatment or lead to their family members encouraging them to get help. The NIMH notes that men and women can experience the same mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. However, that does not mean their experiences will be the same. In fact, experiences can differ widely among men as well. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that men who exhibit stereotypically masculine personality traits often have worse mental health outcomes than men who do not exhibit such traits.

Despite the differences in responses to mental health issues, it’s still important for individuals to learn the symptoms of mental health issues. Such recognition may compel individuals to seek help for their own issues or serve as warning signs to concerned friends and family members, potentially prompting them to initiate discussions that can save a loved one’s life. According to the NIMH, the following are some symptoms of mental health problems.

■ Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness

■ Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite

■ Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

■ Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge

■ Increased worry or feeling stressed

■ Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs

■ Sadness or hopelessness

■ Suicidal thoughts

■ Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions

■ Engaging in high-risk activities

■ Aches, headaches, and/or digestive problems without a clear cause

■ Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior

■ Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life

■ Unusual thinking or behaviors that concern other people

The NIMH urges individuals in crisis or people who suspect someone is in crisis to call 911 or to call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. More information about mental health can be found at nimh.nih.gov.

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