Attendees of the walk raised their beads to honor those lost to suffering with their mental health in front of the University Center during the Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk April 11, 2026.
The UW-Whitewater campus gathered for the sixth annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk hosted by both UW-W Active Minds and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) April 11.
The walk is meant to spread awareness on suicide and show attendees they are not alone in their mental health struggles. Kendra Dutcher, vice president of Active Minds, described how the event gives attendees a unique and unintrusive way to share their stories with suicide.
Every year before the walk begins, a bead ceremony is held to honor the ways people have been affected by suicide. When a certain color of beads is called, attendees are encouraged to raise their beads of that color and hold a moment of silence for those lost or affected.
Ten different colors are included in the ceremony, honoring parents, siblings, children, friends and veterans who have been lost to suicide. There was also a portion honoring those who have struggled with their own mental health. This ceremony is an emotional and powerful way to show those in attendance they are not alone.
All of the colored honor beads ready for attendees to grab and use for the ceremony during the Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk April 11, 2026. (Joey Gatto)
“Most people who attend have struggled with their own mental health, and this gives them a chance to share their story,” Dutcher said.
Attendees could also share who they were walking for by wearing stickers with the person’s name.
The walk had routes of one and two miles across either the UW-W campus or downtown Whitewater. Active Minds President Kaylee Kramer made it clear before the walk began that the length a person walked was not of importance, but rather that they were walking in unity.
Over $14,000 has been raised for suicide awareness this year, with $2,000 coming from fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. In addition to this contribution, they led the walk, further cementing their dedication to the cause.
Kramer also described the importance of Active Minds and what they accomplish. Active Minds is dedicated to showing those suffering with their mental health they are not alone. They accomplish this by bringing the community together through events such as this walk and by breaking negative perceptions about mental health.
“Breaking the stigma leads to proper care,” Kramer said. “We focus on creating a space for people to come and be themselves, or have something in the middle of the week to help them relieve stress while educating them on mental health.”
Having a way for people to understand they are not alone in their mental health struggles, and know they may not be the only people to have lost someone to suicide is an important cause that Active Minds, AFSP and UW-W back. Events such as the Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk are a clear demonstration of this.
For those suffering with their mental health, UW-W offers tailored counseling services. For immediate help, call or text 988.
Active Minds President Kaylee Kramer preparing to begin the honor beads ceremony in front of the University Center during the Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk April 11, 2026.
