[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 178 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1070-E1071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JONI THORNTON AND NICOLE MORTENSON AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2021

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize two dedicated 
leaders for mental health and suicide prevention in our community--Joni 
Thornton and Nicole Mortenson. Joni and Nicole are co-chairs of the Out 
of the Darkness Central Iowa Walk. The annual walk is part of the 
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Iowa and helps raise 
awareness for suicide prevention and mental health in the community.
  Joni and Nicole led a very successful walk in Ankeny on September 19. 
Hundreds of Iowans gathered at the DMACC campus to share hope for 
families affected by suicide. The event also featured a virtual 
memorial wall on Facebook to honor the lives lost to suicide in the 
past year.

[[Page E1071]]

  The co-chairs aim to make the walk family-friendly year after year, 
because suicide and mental health do not just impact adults. There has 
been an increase in pediatric mental health issues in recent years, and 
mental health affects the whole family. The co-chairs have included 
events for the whole family in the walk, from face painting and 
bracelet making to live music and therapy dogs.
  Although the walk takes place on one day, Joni, Nicole, and their 
team begin preparing for the event months in advance. They start 
planning in January and meet often to organize sponsors, vendors, and 
volunteers. This year, the walk had 15 sponsors supporting the event. 
80 percent of every dollar from sponsorships goes to suicide prevention 
and mental health research tight here in Iowa.
  Joni and Nicole are tireless advocates for mental health, and their 
dedication to raising awareness in the community is remarkable. Joni 
has worked with the American Suicide Prevention Foundation for 12 years 
and Nicole has served the organization since 2015. Both women 
coordinate an amazing walk that provides a space for families of those 
lost to suicide to feel understood and to meet other families affected 
by suicide.
  The American Suicide Prevention Foundation offers free resources for 
individuals and families across the region. The organization has 
monthly support groups, community-based presentations, and programs to 
help Iowans become more aware of mental health.
  Joni and Nicole's advocacy for suicide prevention and mental health 
awareness have changed lives and provided hope for countless Iowans. It 
is my pleasure to honor Joni Thornton and Nicole Mortenson as Iowans of 
the Week.

                          ____________________