Suicide Memorial Walk to be at Himebaugh Lot
The annual Suicide Memorial Walk and Butterfly Release will be Saturday, June 7 at noon at the Himebaugh Lot in Coshocton. The public is invited to attend. In addition to the walk, there will be two guest speakers, a butterfly release at the end of the event, and refreshments.
COSHOCTON –The Coshocton County Suicide Prevention Coalition will be sponsoring their annual Suicide Memorial Walk and Butterfly Release on Saturday, June 7 at noon at the Himebaugh Lot to grieve for the 11 confirmed cases of suicide in Coshocton County in 2013.
“Suicide does happen here in Coshocton,” said Ken Sheffield, director of Coshocton Counseling Center and a member of the Coshocton County Suicide Prevention Coalition. “If we’re all more aware of it, it can be prevented.”
The memorial walk is to honor all loved ones who have passed away due to suicide, to bring awareness to mental illness, to reduce the stigma associated with suicide and depression, and to help prevent future suicides. If you have lost a loved one, feel free to bring a picture of them to post on the memorial board. It will be returned after the event.
“It’s something that’s been around for years,” said Sheffield. “Mental health and mental illness is a disease. It is real. It is overwhelming, and just like other diseases, it can be treated.”
Two guest speakers are scheduled to speak at the event which will include the memorial walk and then the butterfly release at the end. Refreshments will also be served after the event.
To get help with depression, Sheffield advised calling Coshocton Hospital at 622-6411, Six County, Inc. at 622-3404, Thompkins Treatment, Inc. at 622-4470, or Coshocton Behavioral Health at 622-0033 for treatment.
“Many times, people turn to drugs and alcohol thinking that will help, but it doesn’t,” said Sheffield. “It just makes things worse.”
To learn more about the Coshocton County Suicide Prevention Coalition, visit their Facebook page. In case of rain on the day of the Memorial Walk, listen to WTNS for information.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
