A resource to help people with mental health issues in Moody County is up and running this month after money was collected to pay for the service.
Residents can call the Helpline Center at 211 if they need to talk to someone about mental health issues or need resources.
“I’m happy we have it up and running now,” said the Rev. Alan Blankenfeld, pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He helped start Moody County Cares, a group that wanted to address suicide in rural areas, including farmers, students and others.
“Overall, it’s going to be a very positive and good thing for our community,” he said of 211.
The group is now focusing on youth after a recent suicide of a high school student.
“We’re reaching out to the schools to say what can we do to help the kids. Right now, the kids are going to be our focus,” he said.

The Helpline sent a suicide crisis support team to Flandreau last week. Pastors and counselors also were at the school.
Students are being told about 211 as a resource if they or someone they know needs help. Students at Flandreau High School and Flandreau Indian School also can text the Helpline with the subject ICare at 898211.
“It’s not just the students here. I’ve also been spending time with several staff members.
Suicide doesn’t just affect the kids. It’s the staff members as well,” Blankenfeld said.
One student approached him with the idea of starting a Moody County Cares group for kids and made up of kids. That’s positive, he said.
The Helpline is getting calls from Moody County but hasn’t tallied the number yet. It takes a year or more to get the word out to people about the resource, said Betsy Schuster, vice president of program development for the service.
“I would say we’re still in the promotion stage,” she said. Moody County was the only county among surrounding counties to not have 211.
The service is important in tragedies and so people know they aren’t alone in their feelings, she said. “It’s critically important to just know there is a place to dial 24-7 to provide that hope and a place to listen,” Schuster said. “I would encourage anyone that is struggling or has questions to reach out.”
Blankenfeld said it has been easy to raise the money needed to pay for the program. Moody County Cares continues to meet monthly to work on various topics.
“Right now, we’re focusing on suicide. There may be other issues we want to get involved in as well,” he said.
The service has been paid for the year with donations from Moody County, $1,000; City of Flandreau, $1,000; City of Ward, $1,000; Avera, $1,000; anonymous, $1,000; T&R Electric, $500; Dakota Layers LLC, $500; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, $500; Skroch Funeral Chapel, $250; United Methodist Church, $250; City of Colman, $250; City of Egan, $250; and City of Trent, $250.