Resident Shares Personal Tragedy as Manhattan Proclaims Suicide Prevention Month

Article Summary: During a solemn moment at the Village of Manhattan board meeting, resident and advocate Shelly Lewis shared the story of losing her 15-year-old son to suicide as the board proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Lewis provided sobering local statistics and made an emotional plea for community awareness and action to combat the mental health crisis.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Key Points:

• Mayor Mike Adrieansen officially proclaimed September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Manhattan.

• Resident Shelly Lewis shared that since January, Manhattan has lost two lives to suicide and seen 17 cases of suicidal ideation.

• Lewis urged the community to increase awareness, encourage open conversations about mental health, and share resources like the 988 crisis lifeline.

MANHATTAN – The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees meeting took an emotional turn Tuesday as Mayor Mike Adrieansen proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, followed by a powerful testimony from a resident who has personally endured the ultimate loss.

Shelly Lewis, a local advocate, stood before the board and community members to share the story of her son, Jackson, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 15.

“One of the most painful and life-altering experiences my husband Chris and I have faced was the loss of our son,” Lewis said, her voice steady. “His death was not only the loss of his precious life, but also the loss of our future experiences and hopes that should have been ahead of him. We have no signs, no red flags. His decision seemed so sudden and so impulsive.”

Lewis connected her personal tragedy to a growing local crisis, providing startling statistics for the village. “Since January of this year, Manhattan has already lost two lives to suicide. We’ve also had 17 documented cases of suicide ideation attempts and 17 calls related to mental health crises,” she reported. “These numbers are sobering and they highlight the urgent need for awareness, compassion, and action.”

As part of the awareness campaign, Lewis has placed purple and teal ribbons on trees around town to honor those affected and has made resources about the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline available to the public. She called on the community to learn the signs of crisis, encourage judgment-free conversations about mental health, and foster a sense of connection to combat isolation.

“This month, let’s join together to raise awareness, support those who are struggling, and take action to prevent further tragedy,” Lewis urged. “Every life is precious. My hope is that through awareness and compassion, fewer families will have to walk the same difficult road that we have.”

Mayor Adrieansen and several trustees thanked Lewis for her strength and advocacy, with board members taking ribbons to display in support.