The HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties has two upcoming events scheduled for September’s National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Suicide Prevention Specialist, Amanda McIntosh to discuss all the details.
“So September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month and I’ve spent the last couple of weeks sending out my requests for Proclamations to all the mayors in Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties so that hopefully they can recognize the month as Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month too, because it affects all of us in every single county. We want to make sure that people know that there are resources and that there’s a community of survivors that is here with open arms, welcoming them into a community of survivors,” said McIntosh. Part of bringing awareness to this serious subject is hosting various community events to help educate the public.
The first event that will take place on World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday, September 10 at 7:00 pm. “Because its World Suicide Prevention Day we felt that it was still important to gather at the Price Peace Garden. We’re going to start that candle light vigil at 7:00 pm, and then world wide at 8:00 pm everywhere we light candles or turn on our battery-operated candles in this case. Just in remembrance of those that we love, that we have lost, that maybe are still struggling or have struggled in the past. This is a way for survivors of suicide loss to come together, to speak their loved ones name in such a vulnerable situation, it can be comforting and healing, and we want to provide that safe space for that community to come together,” stated McIntosh. All are welcome to attend this gathering to show support for suicide prevention and to stand in solidarity with the survivors. Candles will be provided by the HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery, & Grand Counties.
The next event will be a community walk on Saturday, September 16 at 10:00 am at the Price City Peace Garden. “So the Southeast Utah HOPE Walk is taking place on Saturday, September 16, again at the Price Peace Garden, and that is going to begin at about 10:00 am, we’ll have people registering or checking in for the walk. This is going to be a couple of hours of really great information, of course we’ll have our community resources and booths there, but we’re also going to have Waffle Love there for lunch,” stated McIntosh. The walk is part of the American Foundation of Suicides Prevention and Out of the Darkness Community Walks.
To learn more about the HOPE Squad of Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties or to get in contact with Amanda McIntosh please visit the Southeast Utah Health Department website at https://www.seuhealth.com/