September is National Suicide Prevention month, and the Lake Region Out of the Darkness Walk returns to Devils Lake on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Ruger Park. The Lake Region Suicide Prevention Coalition (LRSPC) will again partner with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the event, now in its ninth year.
Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. with the Walk immediately following. Although there will be no lunch afterwards like last year, there will be music, along with refreshments such as coffee, water, juice boxes, donuts and muffins, before the event.
“The funds we raise at the Walk support awareness of mental health and suicide, research devoted to reducing deaths by suicide, education for our community agencies and members, promoting community engagement and inspiring hope,” said retired school psychologist and LRSPC Walk organizer Kathy Gewont.
This year, the large building at Ruger Park has been reserved for use where they will keep the snacks, away from the bugs and hornets. Crafts will be provided for kids of all ages and information tables will be provided by various agencies. As in the past, there will be a bead table and t-shirt table.
“This is our ninth year for the Walk,” Gewont said. “We look forward to a wonderful and varied crowd!”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues, help is available at the website of ND THRIVES, dedicated to rural and tribal youth suicide prevention at ndthrives.com. People in need can also visit the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Coalition at ndspc.org, the Lake Region Suicide Prevention Coalition at their Facebook page, facebook.com/lakeregionspc or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.