 Due to current events, mental illness and depression are popular topics of conversation. Our Anthony Scott shows us what one group in Baxter did to raise money and awareness. This is just something that anyone can do and it's fun. Rowing machines were running all day outside of the CrossFit Grow in Baxter as part of the Million Meters Row Challenge. Individuals and teams were rowing with one common goal in mind. To bring awareness to mental illness and depression and just the stigma that people have around that and just get rid of that and it's time to get it out in the open that you need to talk about it. The goal today was for teams to collectively row over one million meters and that's the distance from here to about Kansas City. So I better get going. It's awesome. It's awesome to see the community come together and get behind a cause like this. It was $20 to rent a rower and then teams also did fundraising with all proceeds supporting Northern Pines' Zero Suicides Initiative. Zero Suicide is an evidence-based program that will train and educate people on the warning signs of suicide and also how to persuade someone to seek help. It's a cause that personally affected Quizburg for over 20 years. It doesn't have to hold me down and I want other people to know that too, especially the young kids that seem like they might be trapped or lost and lost hope. This is a great way to just talk about it and know that there's a way out. Hundreds came to Baxter for a million meters row, raising over $30,000 for Northern Pines and depression awareness. Mental illness is not a choice just like any physical ailment and we want to make sure that folks know that it's okay. There's no shame in asking for help. Reporting from Baxter, Anthony Scott, Lakeland News. This being the first million meters row event, they fell a little short of their one million meter goal but plan to expand on their success again next year. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.