BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Beckley/Raleigh County “Out of Darkness” Suicide Prevention Walk will take place Saturday, September 27th, at the CrossRoads Mall, offering a day of remembrance, hope, and community support for those affected by suicide and mental health challenges.
Tim Ketterman, Co-Chair of the Beckley/Raleigh County walk, emphasized the walk’s purpose.
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“The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about,” Ketterman said.
Registration for the event begins at 10 a.m., with the opening ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m.
Participants will receive Mardi Gras beads in colors representing their reason for walking—for example, red for the loss of a spouse or partner and white for the loss of a child.
The ceremony will honor each color and its significance before walkers begin the approximately one-mile route through the mall corridor, concluding in front of JCPenney for a closing ceremony.
The walk aims to raise awareness about suicide and mental health, reduce stigma, and provide support for those grieving or struggling.
“To shine light on suicide, mental health, reducing stigma so people know suicide and mental health issues are serious. Provide a space for people who have lost someone to suicide or are struggling themselves to come together; to feel less alone and more supported,” Ketterman explained.
“By educating people about warning signs; by enabling action (fundraising, advocacy, legislative/policy efforts), by connecting people to help when needed.”
Hosting the walk is deeply personal for Ketterman, who shared his own experience with loss.
“Hosting this walk is extremely important to me personally because I have been impacted by suicide. I lost a very dear friend of mine in High School to suicide. I am also committed to helping to save lives.”
“West Virginia is ranked number 2 in the nation for death by suicide between the ages of 10 and 34. I want our community to know they’re not alone and there is always help available to them. Their story is important and we have to help them to continue to write it.”
For more information about the walk, visit the Beckley/Raleigh County Out of Darkness Walk Facebook page or online at www.AFSP.org/beckleywv.
