A few dozen people gathered in person at the Capital Lake Visitor’s Center in Pierre Saturday (Sept. 12)– while many more joined online– for the 9th annual statewide Walk of Hope Coming Together for Suicide Prevention event.
Event Coordinator Julie Moore with the Avera St. Mary’s Foundation says anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States.
Pastor Craig Wexler with Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre says coping with the COVID-19 pandemic for the past six months has taken a toll on most people– even those who may not have struggled with anxiety or depression before.
Keynote speaker and counselor Kevin Polky from Wisconsin says developing resiliency is one tool people can use to cope with mental health issues.
Earlier this month, the South Dakota Departments of Social Services and Health launched the “Change my mind” youth suicide prevention campaign through the BeThe1SD website.
Also this month, the state Department of Social Services received a $1.2 million federal grant intended to help prevent suicide in the 25 and older age group. The funds are estimated to help more than 68,000 South Dakotans in the fight against adult suicide over the next three years.
The 2019 South Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows nearly one in four South Dakota high school students seriously considered suicide and 12.3% actually attempted suicide.
The BeThe1SD campaign encourages youth to learn more about what they can do to help change someone’s mind when they are considering suicide. By providing resources, students and young adults can be prepared if they or someone they know is ever confronted with thoughts of suicide.
In 2018, according to the state Department of Health, suicide was the second leading cause of death for South Dakotans ages 10-39 years old.
Walk of Hope:
Event Website https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/walk-of-hope-2020
Event Facebook page: Foundation of Hope
To donate: text WalkOfHope to 41411 or visit http://bit.ly/walkofhope2020.
Statewide 211 Helpline:
The 211 Helpline can be called 24/7 by anyone needing information or support – whether financial, family, mental health or disaster-related. Resources are also available on the 211 website https://www.helplinecenter.org/2-1-1-community-resources/.
BeThe1SD website:
https://sdsuicideprevention.org/be-the-1-sd/
Crisis line phone number: 1-800-273-TALK
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255 or text 741741 to reach a crisis counselor.
Below: Memorial balloon release.
It’s great that there is a foundation like this in support for people who has anxiety or depression. I hope I could attend this amazing event and other people so that we can feel that we are not alone. I support this event.
Azriel from https://biomdplus.com/cbd-oil-for-anxiety/