Suicide prevention training tour honoring Milwaukee Ald. Jonathan Brostoff concludes, family remembers husband and son

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – On the final day of the “We Can Save Lives Tour,” a series of suicide prevention trainings honoring Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, his mother and wife addressed a crowd of city leaders.

Brostoff died by suicide in November 2024.

Friendship Circle President Levi Stein started the tour, which offered SafeTalk suicide prevention trainings around the state. Levi helped organize 41 trainings to honor 41 years of Brostoff’s life. More than 1,000 people have completed the training since the tour started in December 2024.

“Jonathan would have wanted me to do this,” Stein said.

“He might not be here physically, but he’s out here helping me every step of the way and I’m proud of that.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, multiple Milwaukee leaders, including Mayor Cavalier Johnson and MPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius, shared memories of Brostoff at a special ceremony marking the end of the tour. The event was held at Milwaukee High School of the Arts, where Brostoff was once a student.

The Milwaukee alderman’s wife, Diana Brostoff, expressed how she believes these training sessions will help save lives.

“This is a unique opportunity for myself and my family to be able to talk about this event,” Diana Brostoff said. “His absence is something I carry every day, and while the pain of that loss will never fully leave me, I believe the best way to honor his memory is to let it call us to action and to love.”

“It’s terrible that we don’t still have him with us,” said Phyllis Brostoff, Jonathan Brostoff’s mother. “To have an idea like this, and then not only implement it, but obviously, he’s institutionalized it in a way that’s pretty remarkable.”

Three staff members at the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin will continue to be trained on SafeTalk presentations and will continue to be available. More information can be found here.

The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988. Those in need can call or text 988 at any time.