Seventy-seven people participated in a community walk hosted by Call to Action last week to raise awareness about suicide.
The second annual Walk in Memory, Walk for Hope was held Sept. 10 on World Suicide Prevention Day. Although the turnout was down from last year, organizers were happy with it considering the weather.
Last year, 179 people participated in the event, but this year, a heavy snowfall likely caused people to stay home, said organizers.
But Kim Free, the group's program coordinator, believes the low turnout wasn't just because of the weather.
“We haven't had as many recent public, and especially youth, suicides in recent years so perhaps the issue of suicide and depression isn't as much on the forefront of people's minds,” said Free.
“I was pleased to see that there was a number of families (who participated) who have been directly impacted by suicide and it seemed to be more of a personal and private type of feeling, which was fantastic.”
New at this year's event was a drumming circle, a balloon release and a sit-down meal held at the community centre.
“I found the drumming circle to be really powerful and moving, and I think the people that participated in the drumming circle really felt the power of the drums, and it really helped them to feel connected to one another,” she said.
Two representatives from Alberta Health Services led the drumming circle.
To finish off the evening, people released balloons outside.
“A lot of people wrote on their balloons and perhaps thought about sending a message up to their loved one in heaven,” she said. “It was quick and simple, but really meaningful for a lot of people.”
Guests were invited to bring photos of loved ones they have lost to suicide to post on a memory wall. Karen Carrier, along with doctors Rob and Michelle Warren, gave speeches.
Carrier spoke about the loss of her son Stephen to suicide in January of 2013. The Warrens spoke about signs of depression and how they should be addressed.
Signs were set up in advance around town displaying key messages such as “let's talk about suicide.” All 77 people wore white T-shirts and walked around the community carrying signs of their own, showcasing various messages and photos of deceased loved ones.
A Sundre resident crocheted heart pins for people to wear at the event. Guests were also provided a candle to light at 8 p.m. in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.
The event was paid for through donations from local businesses, according to Free.
She believes the event is important to the community, especially for people who have lost someone to suicide, but also for people who want to support them.
“There aren't many events in our community that purposefully provide people with an opportunity to grieve or to come together and support one another,” she said.
“People who are suffering from depression and mental illness, oftentimes they have a hard time asking for help. So the more that we can talk about it in a community type of setting, hopefully the easier it would be for them to talk to their family or friends or loved ones about what they are suffering with.”
Also as part of World Suicide Prevention Day, Free and Carrier visited the Foothills Lodge earlier in the day to speak about Call to Action and encourage the residents to light candles at 8 p.m.
For more information about depression, mental illness or suicide, Call to Action representatives can be reached at Greenwood Neighbourhood Place by calling 403-638-1011.
