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By Jeff Henson
RCSP

Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention to host awareness walk

Aug 30, 2022 | 12:05 PM

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day.

The Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention will recognize the day by holding their annual “From Darkness to Light” Suicide awareness walk, beginning at Centre 2000 and making its way through the Muskoseepi Park reservoir and walking trails.

“We are going to do a staggered start again this year, so anybody can come between 6:30 am and 9 am.” says Tammy Monro, Public Education and Outreach Director for the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. “We will have our registration table set up. And they can start the walk and do it at their own pace with whatever or whomever they need to make sure they are safe and supported throughout the walk.”

A light snack will be served after the walk.

Monro adds there will be signage located throughout the walk area.

“It could be things like statistics on the prevalence of mental health concerns or suicide attempts by youth or within certain types of population, whether it is youth or adults, or men. There will also be a little bit about our programming that we offer at the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. And there is also some health lines info and things like that.”

Monro hopes the event will lead to participants starting conversations around suicide.

” World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day is a national event. It is held all over the world, with different events happening in different countries. I think we are the only ones that are doing anything in Grande Prairie this year but there are other events going on as well throughout September and leading up to September 10th.”

Around 150-200 people have participated in past walks, and Monro is hopeful they will see similar numbers this year.

Pre-registration is not required, but you are encouraged to sign up through the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention’s Eventbrite page, as Monro says they would like to have an idea of how many people will be there.

by Jeff Henson