Stop the stigma, raise awareness

Participants of the ninth annual Break the Silence Walk to End Suicide 5K gather for a photo in Riverstone Park last September. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the walk, which serves as a healing community event for those who lost loved ones or have otherwise been impacted by suicide. The 2018 Break the Silence Walk is Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon in Riverstone Park in Coeur d’Alene. (Courtesy photo)

Hoyer

| September 21, 2018 1:00 AM

Hoyer

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — The 10th annual Region 1 Suicide Prevention Action Network Break the Silence Walk to End Suicide 5K is taking place Saturday in Riverstone Park.

It's a community event where those who have been impacted by suicide or suicide attempts can share stories and cherished memories while inspiring hope and raising awareness about how to prevent these tragic events.

"This definitely hasn't been an easy year for Kootenai County in particular," Panhandle Health District public information officer Katherine Hoyer said Thursday. "Idaho, as of 2017, was the fifth highest as far as suicide rates among the U.S."

The region experienced several crushing blows earlier this year with the loss of Coeur d'Alene High School Principal Troy Schueller and legendary basketball coach and former CHS teacher Dean Lundblad, followed by teenage son Austin of Hayden firefighter Kevin Croffoot in June and preceded by the death of Washington State University quarterback Tyler Hilinski on Jan. 16.

"It's something that touches everyone," Hoyer said. "That's a big part of the walk. It's an awesome way for people to come together and share their stories and have some camaraderie in the community surrounding the topic of suicide."

According to PHD, suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death for Idahoans ages 15-34 and for males up to age 44. Idaho is consistently in the top 10 states with the highest suicide rates, and 60 percent of suicides in Idaho involve firearms.

"We realize so many people in our communities have been affected by suicide and we want to help by providing resources that can prevent future risk,” Catherine Perusse, Region 1 SPAN co-chair and mental health counselor, stated in a press release. "The SPAN walk is a way that people can connect with each other and also connect with evidence-based resources where they can learn skills to prevent suicides.”

Hoyer said at least 550 people will participate this year, exceeding last year's turnout of more than 400.

Mental health counselors and resources from around the Panhandle will be on site. Dr. Heidi Pracht-Rogers is the guest speaker.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. The walk goes from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt with their $25 registration fee, but anyone can walk for free. Everyone is encouraged to register.

Riverstone Park is located at 1745 W. Tilford Lane, Coeur d'Alene.