In this episode, Chuck and Brenda sit down with Kate Hardy (Founder/Executive Director) and Laura Lukofsky (Administrative Coordinator) of Six Feet Over. After a chance meeting at the Great Beer State Conference, we learn how this Michigan-based nonprofit is changing suicide prevention and postvention by meeting people where they are—whether that’s a punk rock show, a local brewery, or a tattoo shop.
Content warning: This episode contains honest, direct discussions about suicide, loss, and mental health.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
The “Suck It! Suicide” (SIS) Vibe: Why Kate moved away from clinical, “social worker” language to create a straightforward, “real-talk” outreach program that connects with musicians, artists, and hospitality workers.
Postvention & The “Lemon Aid” Program: The critical need for emotional and financial support for survivors of suicide loss. Kate and Laura explain the “after-death” costs that families are often unprepared for and how Six Feet Over has worked to fill those gaps.
Funding the Mission: A candid look at the current challenges facing nonprofits in Michigan and how the community can help keep the “Lemon Aid” program active.
DIY Ethos: How the punk and metal scenes’ “take care of your own” mentality drives their daily work.
About Six Feet Over
Six Feet Over is a 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing financial and emotional support to those impacted by suicide and loss in Michigan. Through their outreach program, Suck It! Suicide, they provide a “hard edge with a soft landing” for those who don’t fit the mainstream mold of traditional mental health services.
Website: www.sixftover.org
Follow on Social Media: @sixftover / @suckitsuicide
Get Involved: Inquire about QPR Training for your business or staff to learn the signs and save lives.
“No one is coming to save us. We gotta save each other.” — Laura Lukofsky.
Laura, Tarrah Barshaw (from EPIC Races, Probility Ann Arbor marathon), and Katie getting down on some free pizza!
Laura, during the Great Beer Conference!
