Walk for Awareness, Prevention, Remembrance
The annual Suicide Prevention Walk will be Saturday, September 19.
Gather at the Cadillac City Park
at the corner of Harris and Lake Streets
10:00 a.m. to noon
We will walk to the Lakefront Bridge (1/3 Mile)
Ribbons of Reflection or Remembrance will be tied to the bridge and remain there until Monday.
Closing Ceremony Balloon Launch
For more information contact Leilani Kitler (231) 876-3280.
Cadillac News: Annual walk fosters healing process for those impacted by suicide, by Rick Charmoli
On Saturday, an annual event will again bring the issue of suicide into the community conscience.
That event is the annual Suicide Awareness Walk. There are three goals of the walk each and every year.
First, its main purpose is to bring awareness to suicide. The risk of suicide crosses all demographics, socioeconomic status, age groups and genders. Second, the walk’s goal is aiding in prevention and the raising of awareness of the fact that suicide is preventable. Finally, it gives friends and family of loved ones who have died by suicide a chance to mourn and remember in a communal way.
This year’s walk will again feature speakers, information and music. Frank Youngman will perform while two speakers will provide stories of strength and healing. Participants are invited to walk to the bridge and take part in the balloon release to honor and remember loved ones lost to suicide.
Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Prevention and Community Coordinator Leilani Kitler said the Cadillac area has responded well to the annual event, which offers everyone a chance to stand with families who lost someone to suicide.
The Suicide Prevention Coalition is a group of volunteers and community members who work to raise awareness about suicide and strengthen the community’s suicide prevention efforts. The SPC holds an annual fundraising event in the spring to raise funds to support the Suicide Awareness Walk and prevention curriculum in area schools and suicide alertness trainings for community members.
The Signs Of Suicide curriculum can be utilized by middle, junior high and high schools throughout Wexford and Missaukee counties. The safeTALK training is suicide alertness training that is appropriate for anyone age 14 and older. The coalition, curriculum and training are available in the community at no cost to schools or participants.
The walk begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Cadillac City Park, at the corner of Harris and Lake streets. For more information or to volunteer, contact Kitler at 231-876-3280 or leilani.kitler@nlcmh.org.
