3rd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk Saturday in Ohio County, KY

September is National Suicide Awareness Month and Ohio County, Kentucky will again play host to a powerful community awareness event. The 3rd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th at Ohio County Park in Hartford.

The aim of the walk is simple, but important. The latest CDC statistics indicate that 45,979 individuals died by suicide in the United States in 2020. That's one death every eleven minutes in this country and the Suicide Awareness Walk will "honor those who have lost their lives to suicide and provide valuable resources to community members who may need life-saving support.

The 3rd Annual Suicide Awareness Walk promises to be a huge community event and everyone is invited to attend. In addition to vendors offering necessary mental health resources (counseling, case management, grief support, vital health and wellness info), there will also be some fun and interactive activities for kids- like a foam party and a bounce house.

Plus, local elementary school children will get the opportunity to dunk their school principals in the dunk tank. The dunking gets underway at 10am and features principals from a variety of local schools. Here's that schedule.

Plus, as you can see on the flyer, there will be some terrific live music as well.

9-10 Adam Scott

10-11 Zach Jennings

11-12 Josh Merritt

Opening statements will be made at 9am and the remembrance walk will follow. As in years past, there will be a Memory Wall on site and you are invited to share photos. If you would like to remember someone who has lost their life to suicide you may bring a photo of your loved one to place on that wall.

Tarren Wilkey

All proceeds from the event benefit mental health and suicide awareness resources in Ohio County, Kentucky.

And, remember. There is a new national suicide hotline. That number is 988 and it's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.