Manteno mental health and suicide prevention awareness advocate Jake Smith attended Manteno’s village board meeting to propose a water fountain and memorial plaque be erected at Memorial Park in Manteno.
“He has done a lot for the community to bring up awareness of suicide prevention, and he is an outstanding young man,” Mayor Annette LaMore said of Smith at the February 17 village board meeting.
LaMore told the board of Smith’s past efforts to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health, which included organizing and participating in a 30-mile walk through Manteno this past September for suicide prevention awareness month.
Smith, along with several others, took on the walk, which culminated with a police escort in the final miles and a celebration. Also present at the board meeting was Emily Hermann, who walked alongside Smith this past year for the full 30 miles — no small feat by itself, but Hermann did it while undergoing cancer treatment.
LaMore explained Smith wanted to put some of the funds raised from his walk toward building a memorial monument.
“We do the mission to bring awareness but also to remember our whys because I’ve been there,” Smith said at the meeting.
He said he wants to honor those who have lost their lives to suicide, as well as bring awareness to support those who are struggling.
Smith is working with The Samuel R. Meyers Foundation for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness to bring the project to fruition.
Dr. Brandon and Kathi Myers started The Samuel R. Meyers Foundation for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness after they lost their 19-year-old-son to suicide in December 2016.
“The Samuel R. Myers Foundation is proud to support Jake and the Village of Manteno in creating a public fountain and commemorative plaque dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention,” the Myers shared in a joint statement to The Vedette.
“This project represents our shared commitment to fostering hope, reducing stigma, and honoring those affected by mental health challenges. We believe this space will serve as a meaningful reminder no one is alone, and that our community stands together in compassion, understanding, and support,” the Myers shared.
The foundation is a local Manteno 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring public sector employees are trained and educated about mental health issues, so they are better equipped to recognize early suicidal warning signs.
Smith acknowledged it will require a significant investment of $5,000 or more, but he remains confident he can raise the funds and achieve the goal. He already has a head start with $270 raised for the project and has set up a GoFundMe to collect donations for the project at http://gofund.me/6f0acc33b.
He has a personal goal of raising the funds for the monument by the time he completes his next suicide prevention and awareness walk in September.
LaMore requested Smith attend a committee meeting and suggested the village may be able to help him with his ideas, which he indicated he would.