SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Hundreds of people gathered at Fawick Park for the 15th annual Step Forward to Prevent Suicide walk.
The fundraiser is a way to raise awareness about suicide prevention and help those who may be struggling.
“It’s the awareness of how prevalent suicide is but also the support that’s out there. Often times, people, when they lose someone to suicide, they feel isolated and alone, but this event lets them know that there’s people out there who are walking that same journey and who are willing to be there with them,” Mike Keller, the Suicide and Prevention Outreach Director for the Helpline Center said.
Organizers say the walk is a way for the community to come together and support one another.
“Its both sad but very amazing to get this many people to come together as a community to support each other. Let everyone know that you know it’s okay, you know, you are not alone.”
Many people attend this event in rememberance of a loved one.
“I walk for my brother. I lost my brother to suicide about 25 years ago and then I’ve been helping with the committee that creates the walk for about 13 years. So it’s really near and dear to my heart,” Dean Krietlow, committee member of Step Forward to Prevent Suicide said.
The mile-and-a-half long walk gives participants time to connect and find support.
“For the most part its actually pretty uplifting. There are some people with some newer losses that are dealing with sadness, but they can see that there are other people in the same type of area that they are and they can defintely see that there is hope. There’s definitely life moving forward,” Krietlow said.
Anyone who may be struggling themselves, should never be afraid to reach out.
“Definitely reach out and ask for help. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. I get very emotional about this because my brother didn’t ask for help, we lost him,” Krietlow said.
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