Dear Editor,

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, Jerry’s Walk — Illuminating Suicide Awareness held its 8th annual suicide prevention Walk in St. Clairsville.

The event is an opportunity to encourage an open conversation around suicide with a goal of removing the stigma attached to what is truly a public health crisis. That stigma results in silence that tragically causes so many who are suffering to avoid seeking the help they need and deserve.

The Walk also allows those who have survived a loss to suicide to come together and offer each other support.

Jerry’s Walk wishes to thank everyone who came out to walk with us — your presence alone advanced the cause of suicide prevention. We are also grateful to all of those who were not able to join us for the Walk, but who generously donated to our work.

We extend a special thank you to each of our committed volunteers, who unselfishly donated their time and energy to make certain the Walk was a success.

Jerry’s Walk is especially grateful to its sponsors who made this year’s event possible. Specifically, we thank the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation; Jim and Lisa Osborne; the Mental Health and Recovery Board Belmont, Harrison and Monroe Counties; WVU Medicine; Toothman Funeral Homes; Belmont Savings; NAMI Greater Wheeling; Rotary Club of St. Clairsville; and Kroger. We also are grateful for the support of Lee &Associates Certified Public Accountants. We give a special thanks to Colerain Golf Car sales for providing a much-needed golf cart on the day of the Walk.

Jerry’s Walk looks forward to continuing its work with the community in the coming year to stamp out the stigma that keeps the discussion of suicide in the shadows and to raise awareness of the need for new prevention efforts. Information on our efforts, and resources for those looking for help, may be found at www.jerryswalk.org, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

The Jerry Williams

Family

Bexley, Ohio