May 2nd marks the annual Suicide Prevention Walk that takes place in Logansport. This year’s slogan is “Stomp out the Stigma on Mental Health & Suicide.” Many of the townsfolk and people from surrounding towns gather and walk together to remember those who tragically lost their lives from suicide. A few people that participated have answers to the important questions to help prevent people from taking their own lives. The semicolon (;) represents the choice to continue living after struggling with mental health issues.

Q: What made you join this event?

A: About 30 years ago my best friend shot himself, he could not handle what was going on in his life. He handled it with alcohol which wasn’t fast enough. Him and his father got into altercations and arguments and they took away his access to alcohol, and instead he took his life with a gun. That is why I’m here today.

Q: What is the impact of these events/has there been change?

A: I think it has helped, a lot of information that you gather from here can be passed along to other people that you know. For example, my brother is going through some things, and I saw they have a veterans crisis line booth. I retrieved some information that I can now give to him, and it can help to reach out to a fellow brother that’s a veteran.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who might be struggling?

A: Find somebody you feel comfortable talking to and that you can rely on. They can help you with what you need. Or find an organization to help you through it. There are many support systems out there.

Q: What’s something you wish people knew more about mental health?

A: That they’re not alone. There are people out there that are like them, that have the same problems or similar ones. And they don’t have to struggle alone. They can find somebody somewhere to help them, no matter what problems they’re going through.

Q: What made you join this event?

A: I joined this event four months after my son took his life back in 2017.

Q: Why is this event important?

A: It brings people hope and it brings the community together to know what we need to work on to help others.

Q: What is the impact of these events/has there been change?

A: It’s bittersweet. It’s a part of my healing journey, as it is for others. It’s very humbling. Though it may be a trigger to others which causes people to not want to come.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who might be struggling?

A: Ask for help. Reach out, and if they don’t like who they’re talking to or their medicine, then keep trying to find the right support that blends with your needs.

Q: How can people get involved beyond today?

A: They can reach out on Facebook. There’s other resources. If we’re not a good fit, we can connect them with the other groups, like Mental Health America or Bring Change to Mind. For kids and young adults they can just help. There’s ways of helping at meetings. We’ve had the same shirt lady for three years and they just show up.

Q: What’s something you wish people knew more about mental health?

A: Where to go to for help. It’s hard to find the right resource for something like this. We definitely need more resources.

Q: What made you join this event?

A: Somebody reached out to us and asked us if we were interested and we were. This is something we like to do, volunteering for stuff like this.

Why is this event important?

A: People need to know that there’s always people out there to talk to and reach out to.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who might be struggling?

A: You’re not alone. There’s always resources out there to help you. Whether that’s calling the hotline or reaching out to a friend or neighbor.

Q: What’s something you wish people knew more about mental health?

A: There’s a lot of people struggling alongside you. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, a lot of people make it seem like it’s not a big deal and it very much is.

Q: What made you join this event?

A: It’s a great event, and a beautiful day. It’s a very important topic. I was invited by the health department and state hospital and I believed it was important that I be here today for the community that care so much about this issue.

Q: What is the impact of these events/has there been change?

A: These types of events allow the community to gather and come together about an issue or experience. It gives people a chance to make friends or visit friends and have good moments like together.

Q: How can people get involved beyond today?

A: Be aware of the resources that are in your community. Be good with your friends and family, you never know what they’re going through. Be a champion for someone else.

Q: What’s something you wish people knew more about mental health?

A: It’s different for everyone. Some people’s experiences are completely contrary to someone else’s, and that’s okay. We need to be able to meet people where they are and help them through whatever issues they may face on a daily basis.