Community to do 22 for 22 suicide prevention walk

Community walking 22 miles for 22 veterans and first responders who die every day by suicide

CADIZ -- The Harrison County community and residents from other areas will walk 22 miles on Sept. 7 for the 22 veterans and first responders who commit suicide every day.

The Harrison County Health Department and Veterans Support Group members will have a 22 for 22 Walk on Sept. 7 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Suicide Prevention Month. The groups discussed the upcoming event in their meeting Tuesday.

The walk will be held at Sally Buffalo Park at 43000 Industrial Park Rd in Cadiz. At noon that day, hundreds of flags will be walked around the lake to signify the 22 for 22 and bring a patriotic feeling, said Katie Norris, Harrison County Health Department deputy health commissioner.

"I hope that everyone, whether it's in the Harrison County community, surrounding communities ... just that everyone knows that they're not alone," Norris said. "They might feel like they don't have help right at this detrimental moment of their life, but it is out there, and that's what we're trying to work to strive to do is for them to know that."

The event will include vendors and resources for anyone needing them. Dirk Harkins from the Veterans Support Group said that component was the most important part. There will also be QR codes to scan throughout the walk at canopies for the event organizers to keep track of the number of people in attendance. Last year's event featured 800 walkers.

The event will also have speakers to talk about suicide prevention, while Harkins plans to livestream the event online to kick off the podcast he has been wanting to do for three years.

Event organizers have ordered Suicide Prevention Month sticker ribbons, on which walkers can write the name of a loved one they're walking for or a positive message.

Staff members will be dressed in bright yellow for walkers to distinguish them. Music will play throughout the event.

A veteran himself, Harkins said he works in a state program every day with veterans to help lower suicide numbers, because he has thought about suicide himself and has many friends who have died by suicide.

He said it's important to raise awareness for suicide in veterans and others. Harkins hopes to help at least one person the day of the walk who is struggling with their mental health by getting them the resources they need.

"Hopefully if there's that one person out there struggling or thinking that's their best option or their best choice in life right now that there's someone out there that cares for them," he said.

Harkins said he knows how he felt sitting on the edge of the bed with a .357 in his mouth thinking it's his only option, which is why this walk means so much to him.

The loved ones of those who commit suicide may wonder what they could have down or whether they could have saved that person, but Harkins emphasized that it's no one's fault.

"Come surround yourself with us," he said. "We care about you, and we just want to be there to support you, we love you."

Both Harkins and the health department wanted to hold a walk for those affected by suicide on the first Saturday of September. Harkins and Norris talked to figure out how they could work together for a suicide prevention walk.

Norris said she wanted the Veterans Support Group to be the main agency for this walk but to be behind them as a supporting agency.

"I'm a big advocate for mental health," Norris said. "Because people do, they hide behind a smile. Even the happiest people could be going through the hardest times, and that's what I really want people to understand is it's absolutely okay to not be okay."

A suicided the month before last year's walk took place spurred the health department to collaborate with the Veterans Support Group, Norris said. She said the Veterans Support Group has done a great job raising awareness for veterans and first responders but wants to open up more to become all inclusive.

Norris said suicide doesn't discriminate and it could happen to anyone from moms and sons to neighbors and teachers.

"We are both after the same goal," she said, "and to let everyone know they're not alone. There are resources available and help out there and just someone to listen and help them get through whatever time they may be experiencing."

Norris said she wants to use her voice, not only as a deputy commissioner, but as a Harrison County resident. She wants to be a supporter and uplifter for those who are struggling with mental health.

Since 2007, there have been a total of 51 suicides in Harrison County, 36 since 2013. There has only been one year in that span, 2018, when no suicides occurred.

"We are a community, whether that's as a Harrison County community, or just a community of people working together for a greater purpose to raise awareness and show support for people who have experienced a crisis or a suicide in their life."