5k suicide awareness event on schedule

COEUR d'ALENE — The walk is on.

Expected clearing of smoky skies convinced organizers to march forward Saturday morning with the ninth annual Break the Silence — Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk. The event to increase awareness and encourage dialogue about suicide will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Riverstone Park. It's hosted by the Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) of North Idaho.

According to Lora Whalen, event coordinator, nearly 400 people had registered for the walk by Friday noon. Last year, 25 people registered.

The event is free and open to the public. Anyone still wishing to register should show up at Riverstone Park no later than 9:30 a.m.

Snacks will be provided to participants. Music, entertainment and booths will be set up at the park to create a morning of fun activities. There will be advocacy booths presented by the North Idaho Crisis Center and Regional Behavioral Health Board to provide help and information.

Before walkers hit the trail, guest speaker Mike Patrick, managing editor of The Press, will talk briefly about his personal experience with suicide. He and his wife, Sholeh, lost an adult son to suicide in 2012.