Community Unites for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness Walk

On Saturday, a significant gathering took place at Catawba College’s Shuford Stadium, where dozens of community members participated in the seventh annual Into the Light suicide and mental health awareness walk. This event, organized by Rowan County United Way, aimed to raise awareness surrounding mental health issues and provide information on available resources.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., participants donned purple attire as they filled the stadium’s walkway. Various booths from organizations such as Salisbury Pride, United Way, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line offered insights into support groups and hotlines for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, as well as those affected by suicide.

Empowering Stories and Community Support

Attendees received colored wristbands to signify their connection to the cause, whether in memory of someone lost to suicide or as a show of support. Throughout the event, names, images, and heartfelt messages of those who had passed were displayed on the stadium screen, creating a poignant backdrop for the walk.

As participants traversed the track, Jenny Lee, Executive Director of United Way, read aloud the names of those lost to suicide, with a bell tolling for each one. The atmosphere was a blend of solemn remembrance and communal support, with some participants walking alone while others engaged in lively conversations.

The program commenced with a prayer, followed by remarks from Justin Tyler Owens, Dean of Students at Catawba College. He underscored the institution’s commitment to mental health advocacy and the importance of discussing these issues openly.

Jim Behmer, President of the United Way Board of Directors, shared a personal story about his aunt, Kim McGrath Millin, who took her own life in 2000. He recounted how her death affected her students and initiated crucial conversations within his family about mental health. “Good people make what they believe are good decisions at the time they are making them in the circumstances they are in,” Behmer recalled, reflecting on the lasting impact of his aunt’s life and death.

Personal Reflections and Community Resources

Behavioral health issues were also addressed by Micah Ennis, Vice President of the United Way Board of Directors. Ennis shared her own journey of loss, having experienced the suicide of her elder brother, David Michael Melton, in July 2006. She described their complicated relationship, acknowledging the guilt she felt following his death. “If I had protected the kids differently, would he still be here?” Ennis pondered, illustrating the emotional turmoil that can accompany such tragedies.

As she processed her grief, Ennis redefined her understanding of her brother’s struggles, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the complexity of mental health. “Losing him the way we did does not erase the good,” she stated, highlighting her growth and new perspectives on love and loss.

Ali Edwards, Community Outreach Coordinator, expressed gratitude to all attendees and emphasized the significance of turning grief into meaningful action. “Your presence is a statement that we care, that we remember, and that we need better ways to prevent these tragedies,” she noted.

In conjunction with the event, a new bi-monthly support group for survivors of suicide loss, titled Reaching Into the Light, will commence on October 21, 2023, led by grief counselor Tameka Brown from Healthy Rowan. This initiative is free and open to adults in Rowan County. Additionally, Daymark Recovery Services has opened a 24/7 behavioral health urgent care facility to provide immediate support for mental health crises without income restrictions.

While the event was not a fundraiser in the traditional sense, it successfully attracted over $18,000 in sponsorships for Rowan United Way, which will be redirected to support these essential services. As the gathering concluded, Lee, joined by other speakers, encouraged participants to reflect on the lives honored that day. “Take one more look at that beautiful sun, find hope, know that you are loved, and remember to check on your people,” she urged, encapsulating the event’s spirit of solidarity and hope.