“Out of the Darkness Walk” set for Thursday in Downtown Jacksonville

By Ryne Turke on September 5, 2016 at 8:43am

A local organization is doing its part in the effort to promote suicide prevention awareness.

Today marks the start of National Suicide Prevention Week. Sherri McLaughlin, a member of the Morgan/Scott Suicide Prevention Coalition, hopes the events and activities planned by her group can make a difference for anyone in need of help.

“We have announcements that are being read every day by our Crimson Courage, which is a chapter of Students Against Destructive Decision Making, here at the high school We have bracelets with the hotline number on them , provided by Passavant Area Hospital. We also have brochures and information from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. We are having our athletes were the bracelets before events and short messages will be read before games about Suicide Prevention Week.”

An “Out of the Darkness Walk” is set for Thursday night at the Downtown Square. McLaughlin says anyone can walk in the memory of a loved one or to bring awareness for suicide.

“Well the walk is not only to bring awareness but to let people know you can talk about suicide. There is stigma that people who are having those feelings need to talk to someone. They need to know where to get their support system. The walk lets people they are being supported if they having suicide ideas.”

The walk, which will switch between Scott and Morgan County each year, starts at 7 p.m. There will be music and a short presentation.

The colors teal and turquoise are encouraged to be worn during the National Suicide Prevention Week.