The Auxilia Initiative, Inc.

06/10/2026

The June G-TEP session for Ashland and Bayfield County First Responders is coming up on Thursday June 11th from 5:30-7:30pm at 21 W Omaha St in Washburn (Wellness on the Water building). Text (715) 504-1140 or email [email protected] com to RSVP.
Are you a first responder and wondering if you should attend? Anyone who would like to attend is encouraged, as all first responders experience accumulative stress through their work. G-TEP can help address those accumulative stress reactions before more severe acute stress or trauma related symptoms develop. However, it is even more encouraged that you attend a G-TEP session if you are experiencing the following: there is an event or an accumulation of events that is bothersome or hard to stop thinking about; or if you are experiencing symptoms such as: anger/irritability, sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, feeling on edge or feeling numb. You can find more information about these G-TEP sessions, or other mental health support by reaching out to Cara at [email protected] or (715) 504-1140.

06/09/2026

06/05/2026

Miss the workshop? You can catch the recording here! Washburn Public Library

Recorded Presentation of 'Understanding Depression.' Learn about symptoms of depression, different ways depression can show up, treatment options, and practi...

06/05/2026

Miss the workshop? You can still catch the recording here!
Washburn Public Library

Learn about risk and protective factors, what to look for in loved ...

06/04/2026

Thanks to community collaborations like this, the community can gain access to information about important topics like depression and su***de. Join us for the next presentation in the HELP series at the Washburn Public Library!

WASHBURN - A recent grant is helping Bayfield County get serious about preventing su***de as well as helping with mental health training opportunities.

Wisconsin’s DOJ, Division of Law Enforcement Services, approved the $62,627 grant, available through the Statewide Crisis Intervention Program. Specifically, this project focuses on su***de prevention and mental health training locally, with the Washburn Public Library and Washburn School District helping to deliver some of those services.

“We are extremely grateful that Criminal Justice Coordinator Barb Flynn included us in this effort,” said library director Darrell Pendergrass. “We have been able to host several evening programs dealing with these issues. We’ve also added a sizable collection of up-to-date books specific to young people. It’s just one step in helping people get the resources they need to cope with life’s ups and downs. “

Flynn has also coordinated several training opportunities offered to Bayfield County employees. Conferences and training include: Annual Wisconsin Crisis Intervention Conference, Minnesota Su***de Prevention Conference, WI Department of Human Services Wisconsin Substance Use Summit.

One aspect of this project will be developed with the National Alliance MI-Lake Superior South Shore project, particularly the Crisis Intervention & Partners training scheduled for September 14-15th at Bayfield County.