Walk for Hope scheduled for September 16

The 12th annual Walk for Hope will be held Saturday, September 16, on the Huntington North High School Track. Registration begins at 6 p.m. with the event starting at 6:30 p.m. The walk is hosted by the Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County (YSB) and HOPE (Huntington Outreach for Prevention and Empowerment-Suicide Prevention).

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 luminary that will be placed around the track or a hand-held luminary with a card and ribbon. YSB is challenging businesses, 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 to help raise funds for suicide prevention efforts 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. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for 35 to 44 years of age with the fastest growing age rate for suicide is 35 to 65 years of age population.

“In 2022, 65 youth in Huntington County received immediate assistance through the community protocol as they contemplated suicide,” said Angela Stratton, of the YSB’s Safe Place Coordinator.

The YSB and HOPE 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 YSB at (260) 356-9681 or adm@ysbofhuntingtonco.org or a.stratton@ysbofhuntingtonco.org.