Veteran’s 68-Mile Kayak Journey Shines Light on Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts and Breaking Mental Health Stigma

(KNSI) – A Stearns County veteran is taking a 68-mile kayak trip to show others struggling with suicidal thoughts that they can overcome.

Randal “Red” Wood will head down the Sauk River starting in Sauk Centre on July 8th. He will stop in Melrose, Spring Hill Park and end the trip in Richmond on July 10th. Along the way, he hopes to meet with people and share his story.

Wood lived with depression and suicidal thoughts for more than 20 years following a traumatic childhood and his time in the military. Last summer, Wood lost his job, was injured and had no income for four months. As the bills and disconnect notices piled up, he hit rock bottom and was planning to park on the railroad tracks and take his life. He told KNSI News his dog, Letty, saved him as he walked out the door. “My dog ran after me, tackled me to the ground and laid on top of me. At that point, I just broke and I just started crying. I just laid there holding my dog and that’s when I snapped out of it and realized I needed to try and find help.”

He found his way to the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre and began treatment. Wood wants to open the eyes of the many others suffering in silence. “I’m hoping by doing this kayak trip and getting people to come and listen to my story, it helps people realize that there is help out there and also that they’re not the only one. There are so many people that have been affected by suicide.”

His goal is to start breaking the stigma when it comes to talking about mental health.