(ABC 6 News) — Haley Comfort System’s annual Oktoberfest raised over $164,000 for local and national suicide prevention and mental health resources.

Organizers spent Friday morning distributing the money to three nonprofits — NAMI Southeast Minnesota, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Aidan’s Light.

“It’s so exciting to see a community come together like this for a cause like this and really show up for one another,” said Alie Kooima, area director of AFSP Minnesota.

All thanks to the fifth annual Oktoberfest hosted by Haley Comfort Systems, Active PT, Purple Goat and Chip Shots, nearly 2,000 people came together for a day of live music and community last month. But its impact reaches far beyond one weekend.

“You tell us that you could use our help and support, that’s what these funds do,” said Megan Toney, executive director of NAMI Southeast Minnesota. “These allow us the flexibility to help you where you are no matter what.”

And that help is coming just in time.

In fact, Olmsted County’s most recent community health needs assessment identified mental health as a top concern here at home — and Olmsted is not alone.

“In Minnesota, specifically for age groups 15 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death,” stated Kooima. “So we know that suicide is a very prevalent issue not only in Rochester but in Minnesota specifically.”

The money raised from the event will go toward vital resources, like education, support groups and outreach — all aimed at helping people share their struggles and get help when they need it most.

“It’s important to talk about suicide, It’s important to use the word because we don’t want to lose another child,” said Jennifer Hegge, co-founder of Aidan’s Light, a local charity focusing on youth suicide prevention. “We don’t want to lose another loved one to suicide. So the more we talk about, we open the channel of communication. We let people know it’s okay to have this conversation.”

Because that conversation could save a life.

“If we can continue to build a community that’s smart about mental health using funds like this, we know that we’re making an impact,” said Kooima.

Organizers say they’re already planning next year’s Oktoberfest, hoping to continue giving back to the community in such an impactful way.

For more information on NAMI Southeast Minnesota, click here.

For more information on the Minnesota Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, click here.

For more information on Aidan’s Light, click here.