Suicide Awareness Walk Set for September in Manchester

A suicide awareness walk will be taking place in Manchester in September.

Delaware County Suicide Prevention Coalition is hosting the walk, which is called “Walk 4 Tomorrow”. The walk will be Saturday, September 9th from 9 to 11 am at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester, with registration beginning at 8 am. 

The purpose behind this event is to raise awareness, support survivors of suicide loss, and to let those with suicidal thoughts know they are not alone.

Those who attend will also have the opportunity to pin a picture of a loved one who has died by suicide or been affected by suicide. Amanda Anderson with Alive and Running Iowa, a non-profit that helps to raise awareness of suicide prevention, will speak at the event, followed by a blessing and then the walk. There will also be resource tables set up on the grounds to give out resources and information for local services. And food and beverages will be available for participants both before and after the walk.

It’s the Coalition’s hope that this event will help put an end to the stigma around mental health while also normalizing talking about topics related to mental health, such as suicide.

They are seeking volunteers from the community to help with setting up the event, registration and manning the walk route, as well as tearing down afterwards. If this is a cause that is near and dear to your heart or something that you are passionate about, please contact Jessica Pape (jessica@heartlandyfc.org or 563-920-9206) or Stefanie Dingbaum (stefdingbaum7718@gmail.com or 563-608-4281). 

If you would like to participate in the suicide awareness walk on September 9th in Manchester, you can register by going onto the Facebook Page “Suicide Prevention Coalition of Delaware County”.