Family, loved ones walk the trail in Washington City to raise suicide awareness and healing

Written by Nick Yamashita
September 23, 2023

WASHINGTON — Family and loved ones of those affected by suicide walked the trail at a Washington City park to raise suicide awareness by coming “out of the darkness and into the light” early Saturday.

Loved ones partaking in a ceremony remembering lost loved ones due to suicide in Washington, Utah, September 23, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Out of the Darkness Walks organized throughout the nation marked the end of Suicide Prevention Week. The local walk took place at Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention put on the event, coordinated locally by Sue McConkie.

“We do this walk to let people in our community know they are not alone,” she said. “People who lost ones to suicide, people who struggle, people who have attempted and survived.”

The walk on Saturday was the 12th for the St. George area and is held annually.

This was McConkie’s first year coordinating the event. She added she has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts previously and felt this was a way to help educate others about breaking down stereotypical misnomers.

She said more education is needed as Utah is higher in suicides than the national average. According to the Utah Department of Health, suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in the state with an average of 657 suicides per year.

Over 250 residents attended, with several key resource organizations such as Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, Premier Health and Wellness, Brain Health Center, Lions Gate Recovery, Reach 4 Hope, The Dove Center, Southwest Utah Public Health Department and Encircle.

McConkie said the money raised from today’s event will be used throughout the state to provide programs for those who are struggling with suicide, educational opportunities for schools, loss counseling and resources, amongst other causes.

Besides teams and solo walkers fundraising, the event organizers had baskets of goodies and prizes to bid on. These baskets helped raise more money for the cause, totaling over $20,000.

Even though the walk was to help raise awareness, educate the community and raise funds to help reduce suicide, there were many who were there to help themselves by healing. The support of each other was “like stepping into the light,” Misty Valencia said.

Valencia told of how she lost her teenage son, Oli, to suicide and how she could find plenty of suicide prevention resources, but nothing for post-suicide.

People who have suffered loss due to suicide gathered together to participate in the Walk Out of Darkness Community Walk in Washington, Utah, September 23, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

She started a chapter of a nonprofit resource called “LOSS,” also known as Love Ones Suicide Survivors. The resource was an organization that helped provide support to those who were affected by suicide loss. They meet every third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Angels Landing Conference Center in the St. George Regional Hospital.

Her family and friends made up one team of walkers named “LLO” or “Long Live Oli.” Multiple other teams were present, all with shirts or apparel with the names of their loved ones visible.

The top teams for the event were Love Like Linc – $790, Whipple Service Champions – $625, Remembering Evan $550, Long Live Oli – $515, #chantheman – $500. Love Like Linc got to lead the walk.

The walk had an opening ceremony hosted by The Planet 105.1FM’s Mikey from “Mikey and The Mrs.” as it was co-sponsored by Canyon Media.

Several attendees were present to show the representation of the beads they wore for those whom they loved and lost or struggled with. Tears and emotions ran high, but so did comfort through a hand on a shoulder, hugs and smiles, which strengthened those who felt loss.

The following are the colors and the representation:

  • White = loss of a child
  • Red = loss of a spouse or partner
  • Gold = loss of a parent
  • Orange = loss of a sibling
  • Purple = loss of a relative or friend
  • Silver = loss of a military or first responder
  • Green = personal struggle or attempt
  • Blue = supporting suicide prevention
  • Teal = a friend or family member of someone who struggles or has attempted
A memorial table and blanket remembering lost loved ones due to suicide in Washington, Utah, September 23, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The first responder/military representative was St. George Police Officer William De Hart.

The walk was about two miles and after the walkers arrived back, a few got massages from Premier Health and Wellness.

Other events or displays included a prayer/hope rock painting table, bubble blowing and a full table display with a blanket of pictures showing all loved ones who were lost to suicide.

As people left around noon, each person walked by the lined row of bags with messages to each lost loved one and with solemn bows of heads or blown kisses, they bid adieu.

“It’s a way of uniting our community and making the conversation about mental health something we are not afraid to talk about. It is a healing opportunity,” McConkie said.

If you missed this walk, there is another in Cedar City at 9 a.m. on Sept. 30 at Main Street Park.

Resources

If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, call 911 immediately. Suicide is an emergency that requires help by trained medical professionals and should always be treated seriously.

Nationwide suicide hotlines, 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (8255), have counselors available 24/7. The Southwest Behavioral Health Center also offers help for Southern Utah residents; call 800-574-6763 or 435-634-5600.

Other resources include Suicide.org, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the American Association of Suicidology. All provide comprehensive information and help on the issue of suicide, from prevention to treatment to coping with loss.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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