Picture taken at the completion of the walk in 2017. (Submitted photo/ Clara Charles)

By Nigel Maxwell

Mental health

Third annual suicide awareness walk heads towards La Ronge

Aug 26, 2019 | 12:02 PM

Several families from Northern Saskatchewan have come together for the third straight year to spread awareness about a sensitive subject.

A suicide awareness walk started Friday in Prince Albert and will likely end Thursday in La Ronge.

Kim Beatty is one of 10 people involved in the walk and said there are many people suffering from depression who are keeping their feelings a secret.

“They don’t talk about it; they think no one wants to listen so that’s where I’ve been steering towards to is to let them know there are people who want to listen and there are people who care,” she said.

Beatty was personally impacted by the issue. Five years ago, her step-father took his own life and she explained the tragedy had a “snowball effect” on her family. Beatty’s younger sister attempted suicide after their step-father’s passing.

Elevate Your Self-Care Game With These Smart Lifestyle Moves

21h ago

Riderville

Shades of 2007

21h ago

Final numbers

Local RM results finalized

Nov 14, 2024

“They don’t understand, especially when they are younger, the pain they are feeling so they don’t know how to talk about it and that was their response,” she said.

When Beatty started the walk three years ago, she initially planned something more personal to honour her father by walking to his house. However, after receiving encouragement from her grandmother to spread the word through social media, three other families joined the walk as well as a number of others.

Beatty’s awareness efforts led to her setting up a non-profit organization which holds workshops and has members speak to youth in northern communities. Beatty said she is constantly reminded why they need to spread awareness.

“I know that last year we had a young man that committed suicide while we were on our walk and then this year we had a young man in Montreal Lake do that,” she said.

Beatty has asked anyone who passes by the walkers to slow down. All 10 people walking are wearing brightly coloured vests and are being led by a pilot vehicle with hazard lights.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell