11th Annual Walk for Hope is September 17

The 11th annual Walk for Hope will be held Saturday, September 17, on the Huntington North High School Track. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. with the event starting at 7 p.m. The walk is hosted by the Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County and the Teen Suicide Prevention Task Force.

The two-mile walking event will be held at the new stadium, no strollers or pets will be allowed on the track. After registering, walkers may choose to design a lumen that will be placed around the track or a hand-held lumen with a card and ribbon.  YSB is challenging business, organizations, churches, youth groups, and scouting organizations to participate in this year’s walk.

Registrations will be accepted the day of the event. Participants may seek donations or sponsors if they desire. All funds raised will be used to help provide suicide prevention activities in Huntington County. Donations are tax deductible.

According to Indiana data, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teens. One youth is lost to suicide every four days and one in 10 high school students will attempt suicide before they leave high school. Boys are three times more likely to die from suicide while girls are four times more likely to attempt suicide.

“In 2021, 65 youth in Huntington County received immediate assistance through the community protocol as they contemplated suicide,” said Angela Stratton, of the Youth Services Bureau and Safe Place Coordinator.

The Youth Services Bureau and the Task Force have taken an aggressive approach to suicide prevention since 2009. The development of a comprehensive community approach has provided a safety net for young people who are contemplating suicide and provides them with immediate access to assistance. The group provides community education to adults and youth on the warning signs, risk factors and appropriate actions steps. Informational cards and posters are displayed throughout the county as a reminder of the information and emergency numbers.

To learn more about suicide prevention or the Walk for Hope contact the Youth Services Bureau at (260) 356-9681 or adm@ysbofhuntingtonco.org.