Sixth year for Walk to Remember, Walk for Hope

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EATON — September is National Suicide Prevention Month and the Preble County Mental Health & Recovery Board is committed to bringing awareness to the community about depression and suicide. Through partnerships with the PC Suicide Coalition, outreach in all five Preble County school districts, and our annual “Walk to Remember, Walk for Hope” it is a priority for MHRB to inform the community about the signs, risks, behaviors, and also provide prevention education and local help.

The Walk began in 2011, thanks to then-National Trail Senior Terri Hundley-Widen, who developed her senior project into Walk to Remember, Walk for Hope when she lost a family member to suicide.

“Losing a loved one to suicide is such a profound loss, which can also bring a feeling of alienation,” Hundley-Widen said. “Suicide is rarely discussed, yet over 40,000 Americans each year take their own lives, a number that is only increasing. Six years ago, the walk was a way for me to do something; to take my family’s hardship and turn it into something to help prevent it from happening to another family. Not only does it provide funding for the signs of suicide programming at the county schools, it also provides a way for those of us who have suffered this great loss to come together to support one another. I strive for a world where suicide no longer exists and mental health has no stigma. Never give up hope.” Hundley-Widen, with a degree in psychology from OSU, is now earning her masters in clinical mental health counseling.

The sixth annual walk will be held at Seven Mile Park, across from Vancrest Healthcare Center, on Saturday evening, Sept. 24. This is an event for the whole family. Remembrance luminaries will also be available. To register or purchase a remembrance luminary, visit the website at www.pcmhrb.org/walk-to-remember-walk-for-hope, find them on Facebook, or contact 937-456-6827. You may also register day of the event.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the fee is $25. All monies raised fund the PC Suicide Coalition. The walk, beginning at 7 p.m., is dedicated to those lost in our community and to raise awareness about depression and suicide.

If you or someone you know may be suffering, contact our local crisis helpline at 1-866-532-3097 or the national helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Depression is a flaw in chemistry, not character. Suicide is preventable.

Supports suicide awareness, prevention, and education in Preble County

By Elizabeth Murphy

For The Register-Herald

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