Suicide Remembrance and Prevention Walk will be held Thursday

SIKESTON — As someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, McLane Barber knows the importance of bringing awareness to the problem. That is why she and other members of the local group Walk Bes;de Me will be taking part in a Suicide Remembrance and Prevention Walk Thursday at the Sikeston Recreation Complex.

“It is a time of healing and a time of just drawing awareness to the issue,” Barber said. “But it’s also a time for people who might be struggling. There will be licensed counselors and social workers out there and they can feel free to come out and if they need to talk to somebody, there will be somebody there to talk with.”

The Walk is being put on by Bootheel Counseling in Sikeston and will be held at pavilions 6 and 7 at the Complex starting at 5:15 p.m. Thursday.

“September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and we wanted to do something to help educate and also to take time to pause and remember those who have lost a loved one to suicide,” said Jennifer Hartlein, director of fund development and public relations at Bootheel Counseling Services in Sikeston.

Hartlein said the event will last about an hour. Those in attendance will gather and there will be a short education and ways to help prevent suicide.

“Then we will pause and take time to remember those who have lost a loved one to suicide,” Hartlein said. “Then we will walk around the Complex and have a ceremony of some sort.”

This is the second year of the event and Hartlein said the turnout was good last year, and they are hoping it grows this year.

The Walk Bes;de Me group, a group of about 50 local individuals made up of mental health professionals, law enforcement, clergy, teachers, concerned parents/citizens and individuals who have been personally affected by suicide, will be at the event.

The group has set up signs around town publicizing Suicide Prevention Month and have been encouraging the community to come out to the event.

“(Suicide) is a real issue,” said Whitney Montgomery, a member of Walk Bes;de Me. “It is prevalent in our community and we want to make a difference and bring awareness.”