The 8th Annual Jerry’s Walk took place today at the St. Clairsville Memorial for Suicide Awareness in St. Clairsville, OH. Participants had the opportunity to walk, sign up for the auction, donate a suicide pinwheel in memory of someone they have lost, and speak with various mental health experts from Belmont County and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation to access community resources.
The event aimed to end the stigma surrounding suicide, particularly for older males like Jerry, who passed away at the age of 75 from suicide. Jerry’s daughter, Sandy Williams, organized the walk to raise awareness and emphasize the importance of mental health awareness.
Sandy Williams, President of Jerry’s Walk, spoke about the taboo nature of suicide in society. She emphasized the need to openly discuss mental health issues and provide support to those struggling with suicidal thoughts. By removing the stigma surrounding suicide, they hope to create a more open and accepting environment for those in need of help. The event attracted hundreds of participants who came together to support each other and raise awareness about mental health issues related to suicide.
During the event, attendees were able to speak with mental health experts from Belmont County and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation about available resources in their community. They were also given an opportunity to donate a suicide pinwheel in memory of someone they have lost or sign up for an auction that will help fund future events.
Jerry’s Walk has become an important platform for raising awareness about mental health issues related to suicide. The event continues to attract more participants every year as people come together to support each other and raise funds for community resources that can help prevent suicides.
In conclusion, The 8th Annual Jerry’s Walk was a great success as it helped raise awareness about mental health issues related to suicide while providing valuable resources for those in need of help. Sandy Williams’ efforts have helped remove some of the stigma associated with this topic and encouraged open discussions around mental health issues that are often overlooked or ignored by society.
