Suicide prevention walk slated for Sunday
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LEWISTOWN -- A suicide prevention walk will be held Sunday to give residents of the Juniata River Valley the opportunity to show their support for those who are suffering.
The walk will be held at 1 p.m. at Kish Park, with check in at noon.
The event is free with more than 25 agencies participating and offering resources.
"We are pleased to have 21 plus business sponsoring this year's walk and wish to acknowledge our CHAMPION Sponsors, Burnham-Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club No. 4294, Service Access and Management and Geisinger," said Stephanie Porch, assistant program director for Community Services Group for Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata Psych Rehab, Mobile and Peer Services.
Tickets will be sold for donated raffle items and AFSP will set up a store to sell apparel. All proceeds raised go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention with 50% staying in Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata counties.
The first local community walk was held in 2016. In 2017, the Joinder Board of Commissioners filed a proclamation naming the first Sunday of October as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day in support of the annual Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk.
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
"Walking together gives people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that's smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we've lost," said Porch.
"With this event, we bring awareness and resources and HOPE to the community. Many of us, if not all of us, are affected by suicide whether it is a personal lived experience, loss of someone we know or even a celebrity who rocked our world."
"The purpose of this event is to generate hope and share resources for all ages. It is to share the message that It's OK to not be OK; You Are Not Alone. This is the day to start the conversations and provide an opportunity to connect," said Stephanie Porch.