SAVE Coalition hosts Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk
TOP: The crowd gathered in Kellogg City Park to walk, observe and honor World Suicide Prevention Day. BOTTOM: After the mile-long walk, a moment of silence was held, with bubbles blown afterward in remembrance.
Photo by MOLLY ROBERTS
KELLOGG — Kellogg’s City Park was filled with more than 100 people to honor and observe World Suicide Prevention Day this past Friday afternoon. The day was honored with a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk to break the silence and help reduce the stigma that is associated with mental health.
People from all walks of life came together, from health care to education, mental and behavioral health professionals, and representation from local churches.
Before the walk, beads were given out to be worn, representing different ways to honor the cause. Each color shows a personal connection and can help identify others who understand the experience. “I wear blue beads because I support the cause” or “I wear green beads for my personal struggle” are examples with 10 different colors to choose from, all representing various reasons to honor the cause.
Walkers were also given shirts with “Let’s Talk” emblazoned on the back to remind those suffering that they aren’t alone.
After the mile-long walk around Kellogg, the group gathered, blowing bubbles and holding a moment of silence.
Shoshone Medical Center Social Services Manager Meghann Johnson spoke to the group afterward, explaining that, ”a lot of people say there aren’t resources in our area, but that isn’t true, they just might be more difficult to find.”
The walk was hosted by the Shoshone County SAVE Coalition, founded in 2014 by members of the community who noticed the high rate of suicide in the Silver Valley and wanted to reduce the number and let people know that they are not alone and support is out there.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported in 2020 that Idaho’s rate of suicide is 1.5 times higher than the national average.
If you know someone who is in crisis, know you are not alone, and please contact:
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline: 208-398-4357 or idahocrisis.org for an online chat option
• Shoshone Medical Center Mental Health Services: 208-784-4612
• Shoshone County Crisis Line: 208-556-0500
• Opt. Health and Welfare: 1-888-769-1405
• Silver Valley Support Group information, Doris Fleming: 208-784-3569
• Free Suicide Prevention Training, Beth Bates, SCSPTF: 208-784-4602