Annual S.A.V.E. walk is Friday

KELLOGG — For 10 years, the Shoshone County Support Action Volunteerism Education Coalition has been working toward improving mental awareness, suicide prevention, crisis management and abuse prevention.  

S.A.V.E. will host its 10th annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk. at 5 p.m. Friday at Kellogg City Park during National Suicide Prevention Month.

President Tara Lodi said the walk is a way to show support for those affected by suicide.

““This is a hard topic to address, and can elicit a lot of emotion, but it’s important to help people feel comfortable talking about it," Lodi said. "We all know someone who has been lost to suicide and it’s important to come together to feel the support of the community and hold each other up in a time of need.”  

S.A.V.E. has a voucher program to cover the costs of a crisis counselor for four sessions.  

“This has been a valuable asset as individuals in crisis often don’t seek treatment due to cost and lack of insurance coverage,” Lodi said.

This year, the walk will coincide with Kellogg High School’s home football game against St. Maries, and Lodi would like to invite families to make their way into Kellogg’s City Park to participate in the walk, check out the resources or be a part of the events surrounding it.  

“We will have refreshments available and provide an opportunity to remember those that we’ve lost with a bubble release," she said.

Anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide can call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 988.