Annual S.A.V.E. walk this Friday

KELLOGG –– For 10 years the Shoshone County Support Action Volunteerism Education – or S.A.V.E. - Coalition has been working toward the goals of improving mental awareness, suicide prevention, crisis management, and abuse prevention.  

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and this Friday, S.A.V.E. will host their 10th Annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk. 

S.A.V.E. President Tara Lodi explained that the walk is a way for people to get out and show their support for those who have been affected by suicide, while also remembering those who have been lost to suicide.  

“We host the walk every year to recognize and acknowledge those that we have lost to suicide, provide resources on mental health services, and to provide trainings to the community to help advocate for improved awareness and recognition of signs that someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts,” Lodi said. “This is a hard topic to address, and can elicit a lot of emotion, but it’s important to help people feel comfortable talking about it. We all know someone who has been lost to suicide and it’s important to come together to feel the support of the community and hold each other up in a time of need.”  

Shoshone County ranks among Idaho’s top counties in terms of suicide and by all accounts has lacked the resources necessary to help those struggling. However, recent efforts by several organizations have helped improve these statistics.  

S.A.V.E., now has a program where they offer vouchers to cover the costs of a crisis counselor for four sessions.  

“This has been a valuable asset as individuals in crisis often don’t seek treatment due to cost and lack of insurance coverage,” Lodi explained.  

This year, the walk will coincide with Kellogg High School’s home football game against St. Maries, and Lodi would like to invite families to make their way into Kellogg’s City Park to participate in the walk or to just simply be a part of the events surrounding it.  

“We encourage those attending the game to come over and check out the resources that are available and participate in the walk,” Lodi said. “We will have refreshments available and provide an opportunity to remember those that we’ve lost with a bubble release.” 

The Shoshone County S.A.V.E. Coalition’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk is Friday, September 13, at 5 p.m.  

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with thoughts of suicide please call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 988.