By Mitchell “Stitch” Stafford

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Sometimes two words can carry an entire story.

For Savanna Dudley, those words are simple: Be Here.

They are a reminder. A mission. And, in many ways, a reflection of Dudley’s own journey from someone who once silently struggled with suicidal thoughts to someone who now dedicates much of her professional and personal life to making sure others know they do not have to struggle alone.

Born and raised in the Black Hills, Dudley has watched mental health challenges and suicide affect the community she calls home. Today, she is a counselor, South Dakota Advocacy Ambassador for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, creator of Be Here by Savanna Dudley and a member of a team working to improve understanding of South Dakota’s mental health crisis response system. But behind all those titles is a person whose advocacy is deeply personal.

“I could make an entire list of my ‘whys,’ but the biggest one is my lived experience with mental health and suicidal ideations,” Dudley said.

Suicide entered her life as a teenager when a friend died by suicide during her sophomore year of high school. Dudley said part of her has always wished she could have done more to help him. At the same time, she understands what it is like for the people around someone to have no idea how much that person is struggling.

“I also needed a person to help me when I was struggling the most with suicidal thoughts, and I don’t think anyone knew that I was considering these things,” she said.

Those experiences eventually helped Dudley find a larger purpose in advocacy.

“I have always been the person to use my voice for those who didn’t always have one,” she said. “Going into advocacy gave me a bigger purpose.”

Finding a way to help

Dudley always knew she wanted a career centered around helping people, although it took time to determine what that would look like. After earning a psychology degree from Chadron State College, she entered the mental health field and eventually became a counselor. Her own experiences again helped shape the direction.

“For most of my life, I needed someone to hear and validate the things I was struggling with, and I am so lucky I get to do that for others,” Dudley said.

The people she has worked with have also taught her the difference one person can make simply by being present.

“Having that one person that sees you, hears you, and validates you can make so much of a difference to your healing journey,” she said. Her desire to help eventually expanded beyond counseling and into advocacy. Through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Dudley became involved in public policy and now serves as AFSP’s Advocacy Ambassador for South Dakota, taking her work from the South Dakota Capitol to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

It was not a role she initially envisioned for herself.

“Bringing my advocacy into the policy world is not something I ever saw for myself until I started volunteering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,” she said.

Dudley said participating in the policy process has given her hope that individual voices can contribute to change. In South Dakota, she hopes to see continued support for existing mental health resources and more stable funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Creating a reason to ‘Be Here’

One of Dudley’s most personal projects began almost spontaneously. During the final semester of her undergraduate education, Dudley wanted to create an advocacy platform without knowing exactly where life after college would take her. She called it Be Here.

“The phrase ‘Be Here’ came to me because I wanted people to remember that no matter what your reason was, to continue to be here for that reason,” Dudley said.

It started with stickers. Dudley sold them to raise money for local mental health resources. Within the first month, the effort raised $1,000. Over the next two years, Be Here evolved into something larger, combining mental health advocacy, creativity, fundraising and community connection. Its mission, Dudley said, is to create physical reminders that help change the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. That includes events such as Coping & Crafting, where participants gather to make something while also taking time to connect with others.

“Hosting events such as our recent Coping & Crafting event is much more than creating things with others; it reminds us to slow down and to be here in the moment,” Dudley said. “It reminds others how important community and human connections are.”

Proceeds generated through Be Here have also been donated to local mental health resources and organizations, including Journey On, WellFully and Children’s Home Society. Dudley believes mental health organizations can sometimes be overlooked when people consider where their charitable dollars should go.

“I feel many individuals fail to think of ways to support mental health resources,” she said, “which is why I love bringing awareness and donations to these resources in our community.”

Making crisis care easier to understand

Dudley is also involved with South Dakota’s 988 Policy Academy, working to improve public and provider understanding of what happens when someone experiences a mental health crisis. Through that work, she has seen how much uncertainty still surrounds crisis services.

“It is still unclear to a majority of the public what 988 or Pivot Point are as well as when it is appropriate to utilize these resources,” Dudley said.

Most people understand when they should call 911, she said, but mental health crisis services can be less familiar. Dudley believes education can help people better understand what resources are available, what to expect when using them and where to turn when a crisis occurs.

“Time is also very precious during mental health crises, and if we can find a better way to get people to resources faster, we can help save lives,” she said.

A reminder to stay

Dudley acknowledges that measuring the impact of advocacy work is difficult. There is no simple number that can show how many conversations changed someone’s perspective or how many people heard something at exactly the moment they needed it.

Her goal is simpler.

“I hope that the impact of my work will make my corner of the world a better place,” Dudley said. “A place that has no shame in getting mental health help; a place that does not have stigma towards anyone experiencing mental health challenges.”

And if she cannot change all of that?

“I hope I remind people to continue to be here.”

For Dudley, that message extends especially to anyone quietly fighting a battle others may know nothing about, much like she once did. There does not have to be one grand reason to keep going. It can be family. Friends. A pet. A future experience. Even the chance to see a favorite artist in concert.

Whatever it is, Dudley says hold onto it.

“If you are struggling with your mental health, there is no reason too small to reach out for help,” Dudley said. “You do not have to be contemplating your life to ask for help. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can start living the life you deserve.”

Two words.

Be Here.